Budget Week Ahead: Your Voice Matters for the Men's Shelter

Key Meetings This Week

As we continue from last week's budget discussions, the week of October 20-27 is critical for anyone who cares about addressing homelessness in Madison and Dane County. Here's what you need to know and when you need to show up.

City of Madison Budget Timeline

Finance Committee Amendments Due: Wednesday, October 22 at NOON

This is the hard deadline for alders to submit amendments to the Executive Operating Budget. If you want to propose changes or support specific funding priorities, contact your alder or the finance committee NOW.

Public Sees Amendments: Friday, October 24 at 1:00 PM

Amendments will be published online, giving you just the weekend to review before the crucial Monday meeting.

Public Testimony & Vote on Amendments: Monday, October 27

This is your opportunity to speak directly to the Finance Committee about the budget. Mark your calendar and prepare your testimony.

Dane County Budget Timeline

County Board Budget Public Hearing: Monday, October 20 at 7:00 PM

Hybrid meeting at City County Building Room 201 or via Zoom. This is the main public hearing where supervisors can still make amendments before committees finalize their work.

**Health and Human Needs Committee: Tuesday, October 22 at 10:00 AM**

This committee will vote on critical amendments related to the men's shelter funding.

The Men's Shelter Funding Crisis: Where We Stand

The Numbers You Need to Know

The new purpose-built men's shelter at 1902 Bartillon Drive will cost approximately $4 million annually to operate 24/7. Mayor Rhodes-Conway's 2026 budget includes $1.7 million in city funding ($1 million in new money plus $700,000 from existing Community Development Division funds), leaving a $2.3 million funding gap.

Dane County Executive Melissa Agard's proposed budget includes only about $588,000 for the shelter, which represents barely 15% of the total operational needs.

The 250-bed facility at 1902 Bartillon Drive is Madison's first purpose-built shelter, designed specifically to serve people experiencing homelessness rather than being converted from another use. The shelter will offer not just beds, but storage, bathrooms, medical services, and access to case workers.

Demand has already exceeded capacity before the shelter even opens. During the pandemic, shelter usage has increased threefold, with the temporary Zeier Road shelter currently serving 350+ people at peak capacity. A January 2025 count estimated about 790 people are experiencing homelessness in Dane County.

Without 24/7 operations, people staying at the shelter would still need to leave during the day, missing access to crucial services and stability.

Critical County Budget Amendments

The Health and Human Needs Committee will consider these amendments this week:

HHN-O-2: Additional $900,000 for Bartillon Men's Shelter

This amendment would increase county funding to $1,146,963 total for shelter operations, requiring approval of an intergovernmental agreement between the city and county that includes policies and procedures for shelter operations and services.

HHN-O-3: $600,000 for Outreach and Overflow Shelter Operations

These funds would be awarded through a request for proposal process managed by the Department of Human Services to provide homeless outreach and potential overflow shelter operations.

What You Can Do RIGHT NOW

Contact Your County Supervisor Today

Tell them:

Dane County must match the City of Madison's $1.7 million contribution

This is a county-wide issue requiring county-level funding

We cannot waste the $27 million construction investment by failing to fund operations

4. Support amendments HHN-O-2 and HHN-O-3

Find your County Supervisor:  https://board.countyofdane.com/

Email all supervisors: County_Board_Recipients@danecounty.gov

Contact Your Madison Alder

Budget amendments are due Wednesday at noon. Let your alder know you support full funding for 24/7 shelter operations.

Email all alders: allalders@cityofmadison.com

Email the mayor: mayor@cityofmadison.com

Email Finance Committee: financecommittee@cityofmadison.com

Show Up to Meetings

Register to speak at least 30 minutes before meetings start.

Monday, October 20, 7:00 PM: County Board Budget Public Hearing

Tuesday, October 22, 10:00 AM: Health and Human Needs Committee

Monday, October 27: Finance Committee public testimony on amendments

All meetings are available virtually or in person.

Why the Funding Gap Exists

Federal pandemic relief funds that previously contributed over $2 million annually to shelter operations have expired, creating an urgent need for ongoing local revenue streams.

Since the pandemic, demand for homeless shelters has increased threefold while operating costs have increased fivefold. The median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Madison is $1,448, pricing many out of the housing market entirely.

City meeting highlights from October 13-20:

Finance Committee meetings: Monday, October 13 at 4:30 PM and Tuesday, October 14 at 4:30 PM for agency budget presentations

2026 Executive Operating Budget: Includes funding for services, programs, and staff needed for city operations

 Mayor's Budget Proposal: Released October 7, funds the services, programs, and staff needed for a well-run and thriving city

Looking Ahead

Full Council Budget Process:

 Amendments due: Wednesday, November 5 at noon

 Public sees amendments: Friday, November 7 at 1:00 PM 

 Public testimony: Likely Tuesday, November 12

 Final vote: November 14

The Bottom Line

The city has stepped up with unprecedented commitment. The county must do the same. Without adequate operational funding, we risk having a state-of-the-art facility that cannot fulfill its mission.

Your voice matters. Your presence matters. Show up this week.