2026 Capital Budget Agency Requests - District 19 Impacts

Budget Process First Step

The 2026 Madison budget process is underway with the publication last week of the Agency Requests for the capital budget. Each agency submits its “wish list” for 2026 capital expenditures and a five-year plan (2027-2031). Madison has long managed a capital budget with five-year plans because many larger projects require several years to plan, design, and complete. Most capital spending is financed with debt and state and federal grants. The resulting debt service becomes part of the annual property tax levy and individual special assessments. 

In the following steps, the agency requests are refined through extensive discussions into the Mayor’s Executive Capital Budget, which is then further refined and adopted by the Common Council in November.

Capital Expenditures in District 19

Many small routine repairs, replacements, and investments benefit District 19. These are labeled “City Wide” or similar terms in the “Agency Requests”. Larger projects are noted as to the district or multiple districts they impact. Following is a list of those major District 19 projects organized by type and year, along with the approximate budget estimate. Since it is cost effective to reconstruct streets and the sewer, stormwater, and water mains below them at the same time, I’ve combined those projects where relevant.

Public Works

• Resurface Norman Way ($2,800,000) and replace water main ($600,000) in 2026. Note that Spring Harbor Neighborhood Association recommends, and I support moving this project to 2027 and moving the Capital Avenue project forward to 2026 if the cost difference can be accommodated.
• Unit Well #16 rehab ($131,000) at 6706 Mineral Point Rd in 2026.
• Replace overhead doors in three fire stations ($90,000) in 2026 including Station #2 in District 19.
• Resurface Capital Avenue ($2,959,000) and replace water main ($1,000,000) in 2027. Note that Spring Harbor Neighborhood Association recommends, and I support moving this project 2026 and moving the Norman Way project back to 2027, if the cost difference can be accommodated.
• Create impact fee districts in 16 alder districts in Transit Oriented Development Zoning Overlay for financing sewer upgrades to accommodate increased density ($1,020,000) in 2028-29. This could include Mineral Point Rd and Whitney Way in District 19.
• Water main replacement in Merrill Springs Rd, Risser Rd, and Minocqua Crecent ($883,000) in 2029.
• Water main replacement in Greening Lane and Camus Lane ($516,000) in 2031.

Parks and Greenways

• Stormwater management improvements to West Towne Pond ($4,500,000) in 2026.
• Stormwater cunette rehab in Mineral Point Park ($850,000) in 2026.
• Marshall Park playground replacement ($150,000) in 2026.
• Owen Conservation Park road repaving ($800,000) in 2027.
• Marshall Park boat launch dredging and improvements ($315,000 covering several sites) in 2027.

Libraries

• Alicia Ashman flooring ($115,000) in 2027.
• Alicia Ashman solar PV expansion ($135,000) in 2028.