Common Council

2020 Budget Amendments

As I mentioned in my previous post, the common council will take up the 2020 Budget beginning this evening at 5:30 pm.

This is my first budget as District 15 alder and I have a number of thoughts and observations about the process that I'll share later. In big picture terms, I've already started advocating to start our 2021 budget deliberations much earlier next year (January) and will also advocate for more and better opportunities for residents to provide feedback into our budget priorities.

In regards to this year's budget, I did work on several amendments that are primarily focused on improving our transportation system. One amendment that was already approved by the Finance Committee in October was additional funding for Parks and Engineering staff to provide snow and ice control on our primary shared use paths in the city. Our current practice provides for snow and ice control on weekdays only, which often leaves the paths in very poor and hazardous conditions following a weekend winter weather event. Many District 15 residents rely on these paths for transportation and recreational purposes in the winter months and have already reached out in support and appreciation for this amendment.

On the Capital budget side of things, I am cosponsoring five amendments:

• #3 Metro/BRT: This amendment adjusts the actual projected revenue from the recently approved Vehicle Registration Fee to reflect a 2/1/2021 start date and transfers Metro studies to capital financing instead of operating. This will provide better financial footing for Metro as we begin to increase service and will ensure that the comprehensive route analysis is fully funded in 2020. This analysis will inform the future bus route design in Madison that includes Bus Rapid Transit.
• #5 Affordable Housing Fund: Alders Evers' and Heck's proposed amendment increases our affordable housing contribution by $500K and provides greater flexibility in how we allocate that money.
• #6 Railroad Crossing & Quiet Zones: I am cosponsoring this amendment with Alder Rummel to include the Dempsey RR crossing as an identified location for future quiet zone funding. Actual funding will be dependent on future TID funding.
• #11 Vision Zero/Traffic Safety: This public safety amendment proposes to add $350K for funding safety improvements in our transportation system with a focus on our most dangerous intersections and corridors. 
• #12 Madison in Motion/Complete Streets: This amendment will allow for the development of a Complete Streets policy that will address our use of public right of way and ensure safe and comfortable access for people walking, biking, driving, and riding the bus.

Thanks to all of you that have reached out with input on these and other amendments that are under consideration. I will share the outcomes of the budget deliberation once a final budget has been passed.