Claims Against the City.
Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 304-7
in effect304-7. Claims Against the City.
1. AUTHORITY. In furtherance of the city policy of providing prompt, efficient, fair and equitable evaluation and disposition of claims against it, the city attorney is authorized to investigate and make settlement of claims not in excess of $5,000, hereafter referred to as small claims; and to investigate and make settlement of claims in excess of $5,000 for a sum not in excess of $5,000. The city attorney is further authorized to investigate, negotiate and make settlement of motor vehicle liability claims under s. 345.05, Wis. Stats., not in excess of $50,000.
2. STANDARDS AND PROCEDURE.
a. Motor vehicle claims and small claims against the city of Milwaukee shall be received by the office of the city clerk and forwarded to the office of the city attorney.
b. Upon receipt of a claim, the office of the city attorney shall review the claim.
c. An investigator shall investigate the claim fully to ascertain all relevant facts bearing upon the claim. All payments in settlement of claims shall be approved by the city attorney.
d. In those cases where the office of the city attorney recommends disallowance, the claimant shall be so informed by the city attorney. In those cases where the office of the city attorney recommends settlement, he shall reach a determination with the claimant as to the reasonable settlement of the claim.
e. The office of the city attorney shall prepare a payment certification incorporating the designated attorney's signed statement of facts warranting payment and forward it to the office of the comptroller. The comptroller shall prepare the necessary payment check to the claimant and forward the same to the city attorney's office which shall obtain from the claimant an executed release before the check is released to the claimant.
f. The office of the city attorney shall submit to the common council semiannual reports as to the settlement of claims during the preceding period, as well as other reports as may be requested by the common council. Copies of the reports shall be made available to other city departments or officials upon request.
3. RIGHT OF REVIEW. Any claimant who feels aggrieved by the disallowance of his claim or is unable to come to agreement with the office of the city attorney as to the settlement of the claim has 21 days in which to communicate with the common council setting forth his grievance. The committee on judiciary-legislation of the common council shall then hold hearings with respect to such grievances and shall report its recommendations to the common council.
Source: City of Milwaukee Legislative Reference Bureau, Milwaukee City Charter and Code of Ordinances (city.milwaukee.gov master PDFs)URL: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/ccClerk/Ordinances/Volume-3/CH304.pdf#page=4Fetched: 10/26/2026