Bookmark and Share

Office of the Comptroller 

Martin Matson was elected City of Milwaukee Comptroller April 3, 2012. Prior to his election, Matson served as the Deputy Director at Milwaukee’s Employees’ Retirement System from April 2000 to 2012. He was the chief operating officer for the $4 Billion, 27,000 member, public defined benefit retirement system, responsible for its $24 million budget.  He has extensive experience with government accounting, operations, pension law, and contract negotiations in a government setting. From 1993 to 1999, he was the Business Operations Manager for the Department of Public Works – Building and Fleet Division, responsible for a $30+ million budget. He served as an accounting associate for First Bank System of Milwaukee for 6 years from 1987 to 1993.

Highlights:

The Comptroller is the City's chief financial officer and serves a four year term. Under State statute and City charter, Matson is empowered to administer the City's financial affairs. His Office exercises fiscal control over the activities of approximately 40 City departments and agencies. As City Comptroller, Matson serves on the Board of Directors for: Wisconsin Center District and the Milwaukee World Festivals, Inc. (Summerfest). He is a member of the City's Deferred Compensation Board and the Secretary to the Public Debt Commission, and a member of the Annuity and Pension Board. 

  • City bond rating remains a high City investment grade: AA by Fitch Ratings; AA by S&P Global Ratings.
  • Establishes accounting policies and procedures for all city departments. Prepares the Milwaukee's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and the State of Wisconsin Report (Form B) which helps determine the State shared revenues.
  • Issues an Annual City of Milwaukee Comparative Revenue & Expenditure Report. The report compares Milwaukee to nine other large City governments.
  • Manages of the $1 billion City Debt program. Oversees periodic refinancing of city debt to take advantage of any available lower interest rates and save taxpayers interest costs.
  • Cash flow borrowing generates as much as $2 million annually in additional interest earnings. 
  • Operational, financial and legal compliance audits of City department operations including Dept. of Public Works inventory, Fire Dept. Service billings, and computer network security Audits. The Comptroller also provides an independent financial assessment of all proposed Tax Incremental (economic development) Districts. 
  • Fiscal administration of the City's Community Development Block Grant program and all federal and state grants to Milwaukee, in excess of $82 million in 2016. Preparation of the City's Single Audit Report.
  • Administration of direct deposit pay for over 6,500 City employees.
  • Production of approximately 185,000 payroll documents annually for City employees, and maintenance of the City's integrated payroll system.
  • Independent financial analysis of proposed development projects. Such analyses have resulted in higher returns on city economic development investments while lowering financial risks.
  • Independent, professional estimation of City revenues for the annual City Budget.