Budget Conversations

Share Your Ideas for a Better Madison

Mayor Soglin and the Common Council are interested in hearing your ideas for making Madison a better place to live, learn, work and play.

Your ideas and votes will help us develop the themes of this year's community budget conversations. The community budget conversations will take place in May.

Who: You, Mayor, Common Council, and City Staff.

What: We need your ideas for the 2014 City Budget.

Why: To create a budget that represents and encompasses the values of Madison.

How: We are collecting your thoughts and input through IdeaScale and through the Budget Conversation Events.

Topics

Work

Madison supports employment and the growth of quality jobs and development through the support of skills training programs for adults and youth, economic services including business loans, industrial revenue bonds, rental rehabilitation loans, TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) and support of small businesses and business incubators.

Invent & Create

Research (biological, physical and engineering) and software publishing are the fastest growing local industries, and the City of Madison is committed to sharing data to improve collaboration with local innovators.

Get Around

Madison residents travel on well-maintained roads, intersections, sidewalks, and bikeways to get around the city. Metro Transit provides nearly 15 million rides a year on its award winning bus network.

Build Opportunity for All

The City supports quality child care, elementary afterschool and youth programs, services for older adults, and culturally specific programs that address basic needs.

Be Healthy & Safe

The Police and Fire Departments protect residents and businesses. Through partnerships with non-profits the City supports services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, parents under stress and runaway and homeless youth.

From air quality to immunizations, Public Health Madison & Dane County protects people from diseases, environmental threats and promotes healthy lifestyles and behaviors.

The Water Utility maintains clean and affordable water for public health, fire suppression and economic vitality.

Recycling, garbage, leaf and brush collection help Madison lakes and land healthy.

Live

The City plans for and supports healthy dynamic neighborhoods and neighborhood centers that provide focal points for neighborhoods. Homeless services provide support and the city is working to expand access to and improve the quality of affordable housing.

Eat

Street vending, Meet and Eat neighborhood events, sidewalk cafes, excellent Madison restaurants, community gardens, and a new public market are just a slice of the growing movement to build access to healthy and delicious foods throughout the City.

Play & Enjoy

Theatre, dance, libraries, music, and a variety of festivals and cultural events throughout the City offer fun for everyone. Madison's lakes, parks, open spaces and bike paths provide opportunities to enjoy the natural environment. With nine locations frequent special events and a bookmobile - the Madison Public Library encourages life-long exploration!

New Ideas

Can't find a topic that suits your idea? Add to the general topic ideas!