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Weekly Updates & Council Meeting Budget Discussion

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Budget

Hello! I have received a handful of e-mails regarding the budget gap for 2025. I usually respond to messages directed at District 10 account, as these come in. Still, in the case of the budget, I have paused to collect as much information as possible before responding. 

Our terms begin in April, and the budget usually starts in March or April. Only in the second year did I get my head around the Budget Timeline and processes that keep the wheels turning. I have created multiple Budget Blogs over the years and shared the knowledge with you, my hope is to empower you to be involved and informed. I will continue to share knowledge during what is turning out to be the most complex budget season thus far.

Below, I have included information about tomorrow's meeting and recommendations/steps to become fully informed about the Madison's budget. 

I am also including a little perspective, but there will be more in future blogs (I have to return to my day job tonight)!

Common Council - Agenda Item 7 - LegId 82316

On February 23, Finance presented to Council the 2025 Budget Outlook, details can be found here

To share your perspectives on the budget, register to speak for Legistar 82316, agenda item 7.

Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 5, in hybrid format at 6:30 p.m. Agenda items include a Committee of the Whole meeting related to the 2025 budget outlook and addressing the structural deficit, a presentation from the Wisconsin Policy Forum, and creating the City of Madison Honorary Street Name program.

Meeting Details

Meeting Agenda

Register for Public Comment

Watch Online

Register for Public Comment

  1. Understand the City Budget

    Part 1: Budget Foundations

  2. Learn About the Deficit

    Part 2: The Structural Budget Deficit

  3. Learn about the City Expenditures

    Part 3: Budget Balancing Strategies – Expenditures 

  4. Learn about Revenue Options

    Part 4: Budget Balancing Strategies – Revenues 

  5. Review the Staff Presentation

    The presentation will be discussed at March 5th meeting as well as the reduction scenarios.

  6. Participate on the Budget Discussion

    Register to Speak or share your comments via e-mail. If you have questions regarding the material provided here, e-mail me directly and I will answer or find someone to help us gain further clarity.

This deficit started with something other than COVID-19; it started years ago with changes to the state law and decisions made across multiple administrations. The pandemic only lifted the veil for all to have a full view of the "Tale of Two Cities," where racial and economic disparities have always existed.

I am determined to continue to be informed and to work collaboratively with those who want to bring solutions to the table. Time is my most precious commodity; I will not engage in pointing fingers or reacting to the latest headlines. I ask you to focus on the facts and the current reality. You don't need to take my word for it, but every year's budget is an open book. It isn't effortless to follow, but it will be easy to handle once you understand the basics.

timeline

From Staff Presentation Page 15

A multi-year strategy considers the 2025 deficit, future years' gaps, and a combination of revenue increases and expenditure cuts. It is critical that the decisions we make have a clear understanding of the impact on services, on who carries the burden of increases, and who is negatively impacted by reductions.

MultiY

From Staff Presentation Page 14

The City of Madison as a whole has options. A consequence compliments every choice we make. Once we make a choice, we must own our choices' impact and responsibility.

strategies

Staff Presentation Page 7

This table provides an idea of the consequences of a 5% expenditure reduction. Most of the Operating Budget goes to staff salaries and benefits in exchange for all city services. A small amount of funding complements the financing of organizations that support basic human needs on behalf of the City of Madison. The City doesn't have enough funding to run the programs. Instead, it works with non-profits.

5perc

Staff Presentation Page 24 - 5% Cuts example

This survey is from 2022; it gets staff's feedback on the budget cuts. If you want to learn more about the impact of reductions per Agency, look for the Agency Asks in the budget sessions on the finance page.
Last year, agencies were asked to reduce 1% of their budget; see their input about the impact here .

What are your priorities? What elements of a great city are most important for you?

combo

Staff Presentation Page 24 & City of Madison Elements of a Great City

Staff Presentation

Mar 5th Common Council

Agenda Item 7

 

Outlook for 2025 City Budget 2022 Reduction Scenarios
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District 10 - Alder Figueroa Cole

Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole

Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole

District 10, Council President
Contact Alder Figueroa Cole

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