Let's Talk Budget 2024 - Executive to Adopted

Updated 1/18/2024
Over the last few days, I have learned so much about the Streets Division's operating procedures to manage the recent storm and the recipe behind the science of clearing the snowfall. I shared some of that knowledge in the last blog.

Thanks to those who reached out to complain or compliment the Street Division's work. I want to encourage you all to continue the engagement. It is never too early to talk about the 2025 budget season!

This blog contains information about the latest budget. It can serve as a guide to continue the conversation and help us determine what to prioritize. My budget priority has been supporting our communities' health and safety. As you will see below, I consider Streets a safety issue. Multiple agencies across the city carry the responsibility of safety, and the budget should reflect that burden across all more equitably.

Please stay engaged and advocate for a more equitable 2025 budget.

Keep warm and safe!

Yannette

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Hola!

It is going to be a speedy summary of the 2024 budget. If you have any specific questions not covered here, please email me.

The executive operating budget can be found here.  A Page 15 contains a  summary of the budget portion of the general/library funds (tax levy):

Let's look at some of these categories; this view provides agencies with funding details, including General, Enterprise, and other funds. Enterprise funds are revenues generated from fees (Water fees, Golf, Parking, Stormwater, and others)

Let's take a deeper look at the daily services the City provides:

General Funds by the dollars:

Amendments to the Executive Budget:

• Finance Committee Amendments
• Common Council Amendments

This year, my budget amendments focused on funding from other sources:

1. As a Room Tax Commission member, we used room tax dollars to reduce over $400,000 from the general fund's contribution to the Zoo and Olbrich Gardens. 
2. As a member of the Board of Public Health and in collaboration with Supervisor Holly Hatcher we secured County & City matching dollars funds for a Bilingual Prenatal Care Coordinator (City's portion was $55,420)
3. I continue to be committed to supporting the unsheltered population. Over the past three years, most shelter operations funds has come from ARPA funding. This year, in collaboration with Supervisor Heidi Wegleitner, we were able to fund additional ARPA funding (over $600,000) as well as the County's general funds ($299,000) to continue operations at the Urban Campground, the Family and Temporary Shelter.

This budget season has been the most difficult thus far. ARPA funds were meant to help municipalities help their communities during the pandemic crisis. The pandemic unveiled the basic needs in food security, safe and stable housing, public safety, and more for 1000s of community members. People are still suffering! Let's collectively commit to taking care of our communities. Volunteer, donate, and support balanced budget decisions centered on prioritizing our people's health. 
Thanks,
Yannette

Council VP Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole (she/her/hers/ella)
District 10 - Madison Common Council