Service Changes
This page provides a broad overview of some of the services available to City of Madison residents that will become available to all residents of the Town of Blooming Grove after the final attachment of the Town to the City happens on October 31, 2027. More detailed information is available on City agency webpages.
Mayor's Office and Common Council
The City of Madison has a Mayor and 20 Alders that represent specific areas of the city.
Elections
You can verify your voter registration, polling place, sample ballot and absentee ballot status at My Vote Wisconsin. If you are already registered to vote, there will be no need to re-register. Voter registrations and absentee requests will be transferred from the Town of Blooming Grove to the City of Madison after October 31, 2027.
Additional information about voting can be found on the City of Madison Clerk's Office Website.
Property Tax Impact
Property owners in the Town of Blooming Grove will see a change in tax rates after attachment to the City of Madison. For the most recent tax year (taxes levied in 2025 for the 2026 budget), the tax rate for the town levy was about 0.4 mills (0.04%). The city's tax rate in that year was 7 mills (0.7%).
The tax rate for Dane County services to the town was about 3 mills (0.3%) and for Dane County services to the city was 2.36 mills (0.236%). The mill rate for county services to the city is lower because the city supports some of its own services (for example, libraries) that the town receives from the county.
The current school district, and related school tax rate, for property owners in the town will not change with attachment to the city.
The combined town/county tax rate for 2025 is 3.49 mills (0.349%) and the combined city/county tax rate is 9.36 mills (0.936%).
For a property assessed at $350,000, this difference is about $2,053 for the annual tax bill. This difference reflects the additional services provided by the city and variations in the amount of state aid received per resident between the town and city.
The town has one more tax levy year (taxes levied in December 2026 for the 2027 town budget). If the Town Board chooses not to levy for that year and instead use one-time reserves to fund the 2027 budget, town property owners will see a one-year reduction in taxes for town services (using 2025 tax rates, about $140 on a property assessed at $350,000). The next year (taxes levied in December 2027 for the 2028 budget), the parcel will be in the City and will pay the City's tax rate and the lower county tax rate (using 2025 tax rates, a property assessed at $350,000 will pay $2,193 more).
Trash Collection
Residents will receive one tan trash collection cart. This is provided at no additional cost to residents. Residents should put trash inside the cart. Trash is collected once a week.
Place the cart out to the public street by 6:30am on the assigned trash pickup day.
It should be placed on the grassy area between the sidewalk and the curb (this is called the “terrace"), or your driveway apron, or the edge of the street. Avoid placing carts in the street for collection.
Curbside trash pickup is restricted to properties that have 8 units and fewer.
There are no City of Madison collections on private drives or roadways. Trash, recycling, large items, brush, and yard waste must be placed along the road edge or terrace of a public street for the Streets Division to collect it.
Recycling Collection
Residents will receive one green recycling collection cart. The single recycling cart is provided at no additional cost to residents. Recyclables must be placed inside the cart. They are emptied once every other week.
Have your cart out to the public street and ready for emptying by 6:30am on the scheduled pickup date.
Like garbage carts, they should be placed the grassy area between the sidewalk and the curb, or the driveway apron, or the edge of the street.
Recycling is required for all properties throughout all of Wisconsin, including within the City of Madison.
Electronics Recycling
Electronics items, like televisions, computers, and printers, can be recycled at the Streets Division drop-off sites. Electronics recycling is free for Madison residents at the drop-off sites.
Do not place them at the curb for collection. Do not put them in the trash or recycling carts. They are banned from landfills, and electronics can cause fires due to the batteries in certain equipment.
The drop-off site nearest to residents formerly of the Town of Blooming Grove is 4602 Sycamore Ave. Visit the drop-off site website for more information regarding drop-off site locations, restrictions, materials accepted, and hours of operation. Drop-off site hours change seasonally.
Brush Collection
You are provided multiple set-out opportunities for brush from the spring through the summer months.
Brush is woody material that you cut from a tree, bush, or shrub. Brush must be between 18 inches and 8 feet in length, and less than 6 inches in diameter. Collected brush is processed into wood mulch. Small volumes of mulch are available for residents at no cost. Details can be found on the wood mulch website.
Leaves and Yard Waste Collection
Yard waste is collected in the spring and again the fall. There is no curbside yard waste collection in the winter or summer.
Yard waste is plant material like leaves, weeds, grass clippings, vines, corn stalks, black walnuts, crabapples, and similar plant debris. Twigs smaller than 18 inches are also considered yard waste.
After collection, this plant material is delivered to a composter.
Large or Bulky Item Collection
Curbside large item collection is restricted to properties that have 8 units and fewer. Most items are collected for free from most Madison residents.
In order to receive large item pickup, you must schedule the pickup. To schedule your large item pickup, fill out the form on the large item website, or contact the Streets Division office for assistance.
When you schedule the large item work order, you select an available set out date. You should then put the items out for pickup on the date you choose. Collection occurs during the work week that follows the set out date.
Fees and Special Charges
Resource Recovery Special Charge
Recycling services are paid for via the Resource Recovery Special Charge (RRSC). This special charge appears on the monthly Municipal Services Bill alongside other city charges, such as your water usage.
Residential properties pay the monthly RRSC rate based on the number of dwelling units on the property. For example, if the property has two units, then the property would pay the monthly rate times two.
The RRSC rate is set annually by the Common Council. It can be adjusted through the year.
Large Item Collection Fees
Most items, like furniture, lumber, toilets, and other bulky odds and ends are collected at no charge. You just need to schedule the pickup appropriately and follow the rules. Only certain items -- like tires and some appliances -- have a charge, but the charge only applies to certain residents.
If your home pays the Resource Recovery Special Charge, then you will not be charged for the large item pickup for items eligible for curbside pickup. If your home does not pay the Resource Recovery Special Charge, then you will be charged for the special list of items that require a charge.
Winter Services and Alerts
Snow plowing operations are complex.
Madison has more than 1,800 miles of traffic lanes to maintain, which is the distance from Madison to the Mojave Desert in California. That mileage number does not include bus stops, pathways, bike lanes, and other areas that are also maintained by the City during the winter.
For a full accounting of what the Streets Division does for winter services or sign up for winter weather alerts, visit the City of Madison Winter page.
Salt Routes
When snow begins to cover the roads, plows are dispatched to what are called the “salt routes." These are the main thoroughfares and critical streets, such as Madison Metro Bus routes, roads around schools, hospitals, police and fire stations. Combined, this is around 800 miles of traffic lanes.
Every time snow begins to accumulate on the roads, the salt route network will be plowed and salted when weather conditions allow for salt to be deployed. These are the only roads that are routinely salted in the City of Madison.
Due to plowing, salting, and traffic, these roads are often clear from snow once the active snowfall ends and the salt has had time to work.
Residential Streets
The 1,000 miles of traffic lanes in the City of Madison that are not considered "salt routes" are low-traffic and low-speed residential streets. These streets are plowed when there are three or more inches of snow accumulated on the roads and when the storm is at or near its end. These streets are not salted.
Since these streets have less traffic and because they are not salted, they will have snow on them throughout the winter months. This is normal.
Sand will be spread on residential areas as needed, particularly hills, curves, and intersections, to provide traction. Residents are also encouraged to report slippery road concerns via the City's report-a-problem system.
How Citywide Plowing Works
All Madison streets will be plowed when there are three or more inches of snow accumulated on the roads and the storm is at or near its end.
When the citywide plowing begins, roughly 150 pieces of equipment are deployed to plow every street in Madison. The equipment comes from the different Public Works Department agencies, primarily the Streets Division, and heavy equipment contractors.
Madison is divided into more than 60 zones. Plowing equipment is assigned to each zone, and crews all begin their plowing duties at the same time. No one is assigned to be first or last with citywide plowing.
Plowing all of the traffic lanes, from thoroughfares to cul-de-sacs, takes between 12 and 16 hours, depending on the severity of the storm.
Following the citywide plowing, salt routes are often bare pavement because they are the only roads that receive salt and the amount of traffic on these busy roads. Residential streets will have a hard-pack layer of snow following plowing because they carry less traffic and are not salted. The Streets Division will spread a sand mix onto these streets where needed to provide traction.
Snow Emergencies
Whenever citywide plowing operations get underway, many times a “snow emergency" is also declared.
Declared Snow Emergencies are really about activating alternate side parking rules citywide, particularly within the downtown Snow Emergency Zone. No areas within the former Town of Blooming Grove will fall within the Snow Emergency Zone.
Police and Fire
The Town of Blooming Grove residents who are receiving service from the Dane County Sheriff's Office now will continue to receive the same services until they are attached to the City of Madison after October 31, 2027. After that date, they will be served by the Madison Police Department. All Town residents already receive service from the Madison Fire Department.
Monthly Bills
All properties in the City of Madison receive monthly municipal service bills, which are administered by the Madison Water Utility. The bill may include some or all of these categories of charges: water, sanitary sewer, urban forestry, landfill remediation, public fire protection, and storm water.
Connection to Service
If municipal water is available, you are required to connect to the public water system within 180 days of the attachment date. The connection work must be completed by a licensed plumber who has been approved to do plumbing work in the City of Madison.
If after connecting you are interested in keeping your private well for outdoor use only, you may do so after completing the permitting process. Contact the Madison Water Utility at 608-266-4654 for more information on obtaining a well permit or 608-266-4647 for information related to connecting to municipal water if available.
A delayed connection also may be requested if the owner applies for and is granted a well operation permit. A delayed connection allows for the continued use of a legal and permitted well while arrangements are being made to connect to municipal water.
Well Operation Permits
All wells located in the City of Madison or on premises served by the Madison Water Utility must have a valid well operation permit. A well operation permit application must be submitted and included a $355 permit fee, which covers the cost of a well inspection and required water quality tests. This fee includes up to four water samples. Any additional sampling beyond this will cost $95 per sample.
A Madison Water Utility staff member will coordinate with the property owner to conduct the required well inspection and water sampling. The following criteria must be satisfied before a well operation permit can be issued:
- The well and pump installation must meet or be upgraded to meet the requirements of Chapter NR 812 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. Any deficiencies that are identified during the inspection must be corrected at the well owner's expense.
- The well must produce bacteriologically safe water as evidenced by at least two safe samples (free of coliform bacteria, including E. coli.) taken at least two weeks apart.
- The well must not be cross-connected to the municipal water system.
If the well fulfills all three criteria, permits are valid for 5 years and are renewable. During the permitted period, the property owner is required to submit annual test results for total coliform and nitrate by October 1st of each year. Well permits are non-transferable and new owners must obtain a permit in their name.
Private Well Abandonment
If a private well does not meet the criteria and is unable to be permitted, or your property is connected to municipal water and the well will no longer be used, the well must be properly abandoned according to the requirements of Chapter NR 812 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code. The abandonment must be completed by a licensed well driller or pump installer. The utility maintains a courtesy list of local contractors qualified to perform this work.
The term abandonment refers to the filling and sealing of a well with an approved impermeable material such as bentonite chips or neat cement. Properly abandoning a well is done in order to prevent groundwater contamination from unused, unsafe or non-complying wells.
The City of Madison may reimburse a property owner 50% of the cost, up to $1000, to abandon a well. More details are available on the Private Wells webpage or by contacting the Madison Water Utility at 608-266-4654. Financial assistance may also be available through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR offers a limited number of income-based grants to help offset the cost to abandon an unused private wells.
Madison Sewer Utility
The Madison Sewer Utility is a public utility owned and operated by the City of Madison to provide sanitary sewer service for Madison residents and businesses. The Engineering Division operates and maintains the public sewer system and is responsible for its design, construction, maintenance, and repair. Every day, this system transports 24.37 million gallons of wastewater from Madison homes and businesses to the Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is owned and operated by the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD).
Funding and User Charges
The City of Madison operates its sewer system as an enterprise activity based on full cost recovery through user charges. No property taxes are allocated to the sewer system. Funding for sewer system operations and capital investment needs come from user rates, borrowing, impact fees, and other user-related charges. More than 60% of the Sewer Utility's annual operating budget is paid directly to Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District for wastewater treatment.
Homeowner Responsibility
Homeowners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of the private sanitary sewer lateral, which extends from within the home to the point where it connects to the public sanitary sewer main. More info on your responsibilities can be found on the Homeowner Responsibility webpage.
Sewer Back Ups
The City of Madison has a very aggressive preventive maintenance program, and as a result, experiences a very low incidence of sewer backups in the public system.
If you experience a sewer back up, call Engineering Operations at 608-266-4430. If the public main is blocked, the crew will remove the obstruction to restore service. The crew will notify the property owner or resident when service is restored. If the public main is operating normally, indications are that your private building sewer is the cause of the sewer backup. The emergency crew will immediately notify the property owner or resident of this fact. If a blockage in the private building sewer is the cause of the sewer backup, it is the responsibility of the property owner to clear the blockage.
Regularly scheduled crews are available Monday through Friday from 7:30am-11:00pm and on weekends from 9:00am-11:00pm. Additionally, an Engineering supervisor is on-call 24/7. This includes City-observed holidays.
Septic Systems
If you use a septic system, you may continue to use your septic system. If a public sanitary sewer is within 100 feet of your property, you may be required to connect to that public sewer within 6 months.
Please contact the City Engineering Division at 608-266-4751 with any questions you might have about the availability of sanitary sewer and requirements to connect to it.
Stormwater Utility
The Madison Stormwater Utility is a public utility owned and operated by the City of Madison. The Engineering Division operates and manages the City's Stormwater Utility.
The City's stormwater system consists of more than 500 miles of pipes, 38,000+ structures, and 1,463 acres of greenways and ponds. As the average age of the system continues to increase, maintenance is increasingly important.
Funding and User Charges
The City of Madison operates its stormwater system as an enterprise activity based on full cost recovery through user charges. No property taxes are allocated to the storm sewer system and expansions to the system for new and re-development are paid by the development.
Stormwater user charges are billed on the Madison Municipal Service bill and include an administrative fee (cost to put out the bills) and charges for impervious (hard surface) and pervious (grass) areas. In 2026, the average monthly residential user charge is $13.00.
Charge Adjustments or Reductions
Customers of the City of Madison Stormwater Utility can adjust their bill based on the following potential issues that may exist on your property:
- Agricultural: If you own a piece of property that is actively used for crop agricultural purposes and you have a conservation plan on file with Dane County Land Conservation, you may file for an adjustment that will reduce the charges on each parcel you own to a five-acre piece of land (including all impervious areas).
Wetland: If you have wetlands on your property that are mapped or designated by the WDNR
Direct Drainage: If you have lands that drain directly to a major waterway (lake/stream/river, etc.)
No Discharge: If drainage from your property does not leave/discharge your property during a 10-year storm event (4" in 24 hours)
Conservation: If your property is over an acre and is used for conservation purpose (managed as a prairie or woodland)
Area correction: If you believe the area charges are measured incorrectly, you may submit more detailed information to allow us to correct the record.
Flood Mitigation
Recently, the City of Madison has experienced a large number of extreme storm events, resulting in flash flooding in the areas directly affected by the storm and flooding of low-lying areas when lake levels have been elevated. To address these issues, the City is conducting large watershed studies to document existing problems, develop solutions, and prioritize improvements. Learn more about flood mitigation projects and ways you can be a watershed steward.
Drainage Issue Reviews
City Engineering provides City residents access to a professional review of drainage problems which occur on or adjacent to their property. Engineering staff review the existing conditions and can offer solutions for private problems. If you are having a drainage problem on your property, call 608-266-4751 to speak with a stormwater engineer.
Building, Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC
The Building Inspection Division issues building, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits. The plan review counter is open by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled online on the Building Inspection Division's website.
Before you start work on any project, you should check to see if you need a permit. The City of Madison has compiled a list of common home and business projects and who you should contact if you need a permit.
Other Permits and Licenses
Whether it's a license for your pets or a permit for a special event in your neighborhood, the City of Madison has a list of common license and permit requests compiled in one place.
Metro Transit
Fixed-route Metro Transit bus service is available within a quarter mile of Blooming Grove on Routes G, L, and 38.
For more information on routes and schedules, or to plan your trip, track your bus, and view real-time arrival information with Bus Tracker, visit Metro's website.
Reporting Problems
Through the Traffic Engineering Division, residents can report a number of different problems or safety concerns.
Report problems with traffic signals, signs, or streetlights
Parking
The Parking Division oversees all off-street City-owned garages and lots, on-street meters, the Residential Permit Parking program and a variety of other parking services.
Transportation Programs and Initiatives
The Traffic Engineering Division offers a number of programs and resources to City of Madison residents.
Maintenance and Improvements
After final attachment on October 31, 2027, the City of Madison Parks Division will begin maintaining the assigned Town of Blooming Grove parks. The three parks in the Town of Blooming Grove are Thurber Park, Severson Park, and April Hills Park.
As the Parks Division assesses the needs and improvements of the assigned parks, look for updates on the Parks Projects page. Improvements are based on the budget timing and the annual approval process.
Housing Assistance
The Community Development Authority (CDA) is Madison's Public Housing Authority and is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The CDA's mission is to develop and provide inclusive and safe places through quality affordable housing, services, and community resources in the City of Madison.
The CDA oversees 742 Public Housing units and 115 Multifamily Housing units across 40 locations in Madison for low-income families, people over the age of 50, and individuals with disabilities. It also administers approximately 2,000 Section 8 Housing Choice vouchers to City of Madison residents.
Homeownership Resources
The Community Development Division offers a number of services and programs for qualified homeowners and first-time homebuyers. Town of Blooming Grove residents and property owners will be eligible these services and programs after the final attachment to the City of Madison on October 31, 2027.