Operating Budget Update

Finance Committee Takes Next Important Steps

Over the next two days, October 12 and 13, the Finance Committee will take the next important steps in the 2027 operating budget process. In two sessions, the Committee will get an overview of the Executive Operating Budget, department by department, and consider amendments sponsored by members of the Committee. Find agenda details for the October 12 meeting and October 13 meeting with these links.

Executive Operating Budget Highlights

The Mayor's Message at the beginning section of the Executive Operating Budget published on October 6 contains these highlights.

• The budget identifies nearly a million dollars in efficiencies to limit the burden on property taxpayers while preserving the existing level of services
• The total general and library fund budget would be $477.5 million, an increase of $24.8 million (5.5%) above the 2026 adopted operating budget.
• Limits the increase in property taxes on an average home to under $7 per month.
• Invests in violence prevention and starts a body-worn camera program with the support of a grant from the Madison Community Foundation.
• Maintains Madison's commitment to homeless services with $1.7 million for operations of the new men's shelter and funding of the $1 million commitment to the new foundation to support eventual 24/7 full-service operations.
• Annualizes Madison's investment in a 10th ambulance company and the Imagination Center Library.
• Provides fair compensation to City employees with the implementation of the recommendations of the multi-year compensation study as discussed at the October 6 Common Council meeting.
• Accomplishes this in part with a one-time use of federal funds for Metro, but allows Madison to avoid implementing a new category of service fees.

Finance Committee Amendments

Members of the Finance Committee can propose amendments to the Executive Operating Budget. There is about $200,000 of room between the Executive Operating Budget and the ceiling created by Wisconsin limitations on tax levy and total expenditures. Amendments with a greater impact would need to specify an equivalent reduction in expenditures elsewhere and the resulting decrease in services.

Further Steps

There will be a limited window for further amendments by any alder, which amendments would be considered in the final Common Council consideration of both capital and operating budgets on November 10 with continuation to November 11 and 12, if needed.