Budget Time: Up to Three Days of Deliberations

Common Council Will Adopt 2027 Budget This Week

Madison's Common Council will meet at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, November 10, to consider a range of business, including deliberations on the 2027 capital and operating budgets. An additional two days have been reserved for budget deliberations, if needed. The November 10 meeting is hybrid. The other two meetings would be virtual.

The Common Council will consider three resolutions: approving the 2027 capital budget, 2027 operating budget, and 2027 tax levy.

Capital Budget

The Mayor published the Executive Capital Budget and five-year capital improvement plan on September 8, calling for total 2027 capital expenditures of $272.2 million. On September 28, the Finance Committee approved amendments adding $8.4 million. The Common Council will consider further amendments that would add another $15.3 million. If the Common Council approves all of the amendments the 2027 Capital Budget would be $295.9 million. This total is for all fund sources, not just property taxes. Amendments could also be introduced “from the floor", meaning after Friday, November 6 and through the November 10 Common Council meeting, must be in writing, drafted by the Finance Department, and sponsored by at least two alders.

Operating Budget

The Mayor published the Executive Operating Budget on October 6, calling for $477.5 million in operating expenditures from all fund sources. On October 26, the Finance Committee approved amendments adding $0.2 million. Again, for 2027, the state's Expenditure Restraint Incentive Plan (ERIP) limited the increase in expenditures, and the Finance Committee amendments left a $200,000 cushion for unanticipated expenditures. The Common Council will consider further amendments that, in total, would not change the total budget after Finance Committee Amendments. If the Common Council approves all of the amendments, the 2027 Operating Budget would be $477.7 million. Amendments could also be introduced from the floor.

Tax Levy

The third budget resolution sets the tax levy. If all amendments are approved, and there are no floor amendments, the total will be $337.9 million, which would increase the property taxes on the average Madison home by $92,08 per year. Of course, our property tax bills also reflect approved budgets for schools, Dane County, and Madison College.