Milwaukee: Harley-Davidson footing hefty bill for city, county services during festival
Published: Wed, 07/19/23
Harley-Davidson footing hefty bill for city, county services during festival
Harley-Davidson owes the city and county thousands of dollars for essential services used during 120th Homecoming celebrations
WISN 12 News
Madison Moore, Reporter
Updated: 8:36 PM CDT Jul 17, 2023
The Milwaukee-based company entered into a number of contracts with the city and county to use essential services throughout the festival, including law enforcement personnel and Department of Public Works crews.
"Any time they need assistance for barricading or parking meters, etc., we actually are charging these event special events to pay for those costs so the city doesn't incur a lot [of expenses]," DPW Commissioner Jerrel Kruschke said.
In total, Harley-Davidson will owe the city's DPW roughly $8,300 for expenses incurred from the Harley parade and women's ride. The Brady Street Business Improvement District will owe DPW an additional $7,761 for helping with the Brady Street Experience.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office told WISN 12 News Harley-Davidson owes them roughly $43,000 for their services over the four-day event.
"Because of our limited resources, that was done mostly with overtime usage, so we're looking at about 700 hours worth of person-hours," MCSO Inspector Doug Holton said.
Milwaukee police told WISN 12 News they are still working on tabulating the final bill for their services but say the amount is "significant."
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson was pleased with the way the events of this past weekend turned out, calling it a success.
He said the Harley Homecoming, coupled with other happenings like Bastille Days, was a good test run for when the Republican National Convention comes to Milwaukee in less than a year.
While VISIT Milwaukee had projected the city would earn more than $95 Million in economic revenue from the Harley Homecoming, Johnson said that number will be even higher during next year's events when the 2% sales tax increase goes into effect.
"So we'll see a lot of economic impact in the city for once, for the first time ever in our history, we'll be able to be the direct beneficiary of those that economic impact too, and that's that's good for our taxpayers, it's good for the city of Milwaukee altogether," Johnson said.
Dollars that will go toward funding the essential services needed for these large events.