Milwaukee Mayor Vetoes $8M Measure to Replace Fire Trucks

"Our rigs are falling apart under our firefighters, and that is a fact that is not avoidable."

Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski didn't hide his frustration after Mayor Cavalier Johnson vetoed an amendment in the city's 2026 budget that would have given $8 million more to the fire department.

"Had we just chipped away at this according to a more predictable and smooth replacement cycle, we wouldn't be in this enormous hole," the fire chief told WISN.

The city recently borrowed fire trucks from Cudahy and Wauwatosa.

Johnson wrote in a letter: "What I do support is adding $4 million in borrowing for fire trucks in addition to the $2 million I initially proposed. That would represent the largest annual investment the city has ever made in fire truck replacement."

The mayor pointed out that the amedment would take money away from a building project planned at the Department of Public Works.

The Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association posted a statement on the issue:  "local 215 is extremely frustrated with the mayor and his administration‘s decisions of not prioritizing the city of Milwaukee residents and its firefighters who risk their lives each and every day...The Milwaukee Fire Department and its firefighters deserve to have full support and the most up-to-date equipment so we can continue to provide the best services that all Milwaukee citizens have grown to have and expect."

The council can override the viteo with 10 votes.