You're Invited: City Budget Process Begins With Budget Engagement Sessions in June

Recap of the City Budget Process

The 2026 City Budget process has begun! City agencies have submitted their 2026 Capital Budget requests (and their five-year Capital Improvement/spending Plans) to the Mayor's Office for consideration. Agencies are working on their Operating Budget requests now. 

The Mayor's Office will spend the summer putting together the Mayor's Executive Capital Budget, which will be released in early September and will go Common Council's Finance Committee for a hearing and amendments in mid-September. The Mayor's Office will also assemble the Executive Operating budget this summer, which will be released early October before going to the Finance Committee in mid-October. The full Common Council will take up both budgets for a final vote in mid-November. 

The best resource for direct information about the 2026 City budget process is this 2026 City Budget webpage, which Finance staff will continue to update with links as materials are made available throughout the process. In addition, I will continue to share information in future blog posts.

You're Invited to Join This Year's Budget Engagement Meetings!

Last year ahead of the 2025 budget process, alders hosted several Budget Engagement meetings in different parts of the City that drew hundreds of residents who turned out to learn, ask questions, and provide their input about City services and costs. Building on that engagement effort, the City will be holding five public meetings this June as part of the 2026 City Budget process. Each meeting will focus on a key area of service: Public Works, City Administration & Facilities, Public Safety, Transportation, and Community & Economic Development. 

The meetings will all be held from 6 - 8 p.m. at locations across the city.
The goal of these public meetings is to provide an opportunity for you to speak directly with City staff and alders about your ideas, concerns, and priorities for Madison’s future. You’ll also be given the latest budget information from Finance Director Dave Schmiedicke and learn more about the essential services provided to Madison residents.

Focus on Public Works: June 4 at the Central Library (downtown)

Focus on City Administration & Facilities: June 11 at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center (North Side)

Focus on Public Safety: June 16 at Sequoya Library (West Side)

Focus on Transportation: June 18 at Pinney Library (East Side)

Focus on Community & Economic Development: June 24 at The Urban League Hub (South Side)

I hope to see you at one or more of these!