Office of the Comptroller 

Mission Statement:

To serve City of Milwaukee residents by maintaining strong fiscal oversight and delivering transparent, accurate, and timely financial services, while providing exceptional customer service to City of Milwaukee departments and other agencies which directly serve the public.

Equity and Inclusion Statement:

The Comptroller’s Office is devoted to removing barriers in order to nurture a diverse and inclusive atmosphere. We believe in racial equity and inclusion.  Therefore, the office does not exclude or discriminate against any employee, vendor, or stakeholder due to race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, social-economic background, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.  The Comptroller’s Office best serves the residents of the City of Milwaukee when we recognize that our differences make us stronger. Inclusion brings a diverse breadth of knowledge and equity provides opportunities and experiences for all members of our community.

Highlights:

The Comptroller is the City's chief financial officer and serves a four year term. Under State statute and City charter, Christianson 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, Christianson serves on the Board of Directors for the Wisconsin Center District. 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 investment grade: A+ by Fitch Ratings; A- by S&P Global Ratings.
• Establishes accounting policies and procedures for all city departments. Prepares the City of Milwaukee's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the State of Wisconsin Report (Form B) which helps determine the State shared revenues.
• 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.

2024 Combined Property Tax Report

• Combined Property Tax Report 2024
  • Combined Property Tax Report 2024 in Hmong
  • Combined Property Tax Report 2024 in Spanish

The Comptroller's Office is open to the public.  Please note the following for assistance with common requests.

All active employees have a payroll clerk assigned to their department.  For questions regarding pay, taxes, and deductions, please contact your manager or departmental payroll clerk.

For W-2’s, Direct Deposit, W-4 (Federal Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate), and WT-4 (Employee’s Wisconsin Withholding Exemption Certificate), employees are encouraged to access Self-Service: www.milwaukee.gov/selfservice.

For garnishments, child support or other court-ordered deductions, please contact the garnishment hotline at 414-286-2492.

For employment verifications, please contact the Department of Employee Relations by sending your request to [email protected]

All other requests, please e-mail Payroll Administration at [email protected]. 

Contracts requiring signature should be left outside of the reception area of the Comptroller’s Office.  A cart will be provided with a designated area for placing unsigned contracts.  Please use the sign in sheet and allow 1-2 business days for signatures.  Signed contracts will be available on the same cart in a separate designated area.