Week of October 11 updates

posted 

Mayor's Operating Budget Released

Mayor Rhodes-Conway Releases 2027 Executive Operating Budget:  The introduction of the 2027 Executive Operating Budget begins the formal public input phase of the budget process.

Rental Survey

The City of Madison and Dane County are collaborating on a Market Rent Study to support an appeal of HUD's proposed 2027 Fair Market Rents for our area. HUD is projecting a rent decrease of nearly 8 percent in Dane Co—a change we believe does not reflect local rental costs or the experiences of families across our community. This decrease could reduce funding and purchasing power for critical rental assistance programs, including Housing Choice Vouchers, Continuum of Care homeless assistance, and Emergency Solutions Grants. We are challenging the proposal by submitting local data gathered through this Market Rent Study.

Starting around October 14, approximately 30,000 randomly selected renters across Dane County will receive a survey. If you receive one, please take a few minutes to complete it. Your response will help provide an accurate picture of local rents and support efforts to protect federal housing assistance. Because participants are randomly selected, many renters will not receive a survey. But it is important for those who receive it to fill it out and return it.

For questions, please contact the Madison Community Development Authority at 608-235-9507.

Meeting and Event Highlights for the Week of October 12, 2026  

Updates and Notices 

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings 

Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page. 

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Monday, October 12, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include budget hearings for agencies within the Administration, Public Works, and Public Health and Safety groupings. 

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 13, at 4:30 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include budget hearings for agencies within the General Government, Administration, Public Facilities, Public Health and Safety, PCED, and Transportation groupings. 

Transportation Commission

The Transportation Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 14, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include an annual review of Metro Transit's Safety Plan. 

President's Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures

The President's Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 14, at 5:00 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include a discussion of the Police Executive Research Forum's report: Body-Worn Cameras A Decade Later. 

If you would like more information about becoming a member of the City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here. 

 

Public Information Meetings (PIMs) 

  • Public Meeting - Garner Park, Tuesday, October 13: The City of Madison Parks Division is proposing several improvements for Garner Park in 2027 and 2028.  These include reconstructing the parking lot, repaving some park paths, relocating the pickle ball courts, upgrading the lighting system, and regrading the south play fields. 
  • Attic Angels Greenway Repair, Thursday, October 15: The Attic Angels greenway between Blackwolf Drive and the ponds has sections of badly eroded channel. The City has tried to do spot repairs that have not been sufficient to address the problem, but these areas are getting larger. Therefore, the City is planning to repair the channel with a project in the winter and spring of 2027. 

Announcements and News Releases 

Please visit the City news webpage to find additional news and announcements and to subscribe to receive notification of news releases as they are posted. 

Events 

  • Bartillon Men's Shelter Public Art Celebration, Wednesday, October 14: The City of Madison and the Madison Arts Commission invites the public to attend a dedication and celebration for a public art installation at the new Bartillon Men's Shelter.   
  • School Vaccination Clinic: La Follette High School (Madison), Wednesday, October 14: All vaccines are free for eligible individuals. Children six months and older who lack insurance, are under 19, and are either Alaskan Native or American Indian, as well as those with BadgerCare, Quartz, GHC, or Dean insurance. 
  • Moon Over Monona Terrace, Friday, October 16: Young and old alike are invited to explore the surface of the Moon and view other celestial objects through a multitude of different telescopes provided by the Madison Astronomical Society (MAS) on the Monona Terrace Rooftop. 
  • Volunteer at The Glen, Saturday, October 17: We seek passionate individuals and groups committed to giving back to the community and connecting with the City of Madison golf courses.  
  • School Vaccination Clinic: Holzman Center (Madison), Saturday, October 17: All vaccines are free for eligible individuals. Children six months and older who lack insurance, are under 19, and are either Alaskan Native or American Indian, as well as those with BadgerCare, Quartz, GHC, or Dean insurance. 
  • Volunteer at Odana Hills, Sunday, October 11: Join Madison Parks for a large-scale seed collection event. Volunteers will help support the City's ecological restoration efforts by collecting seeds from native plants. This event is ideal for volunteers who enjoy hands-on work, exploring a natural area, and contributing to the long-term health and diversity of Madison's parks. 
  • Bird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area, Saturday, October 17: Starkweather Fall Phenology ~ Join Master Naturalist Jeff Nesta and Friends of Starkweather Creek for a free family friendly guided tour along bike paths next to Starkweather Creek. 
  • Hayrides & Hikes, Saturday, October 17: Tour Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North Unit aboard a tractor-pulled haywagon, enjoy nature activities, take a guided or self-guided hike, participate in the scavenger hunt or do it all! 
  • Bird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park, Sunday, October 18: Reflections and Changes ~  Join Master Naturalist Lynn Persson for a free family friendly guided nature walk on easy paths along the Warner Lagoon, quiet trails through Warner Woods, and follow the bike path to Sled Hill for a beautiful view of the Wild Side of Warner Park! Enjoy the honking of geese, native plants going to seed, and the colors changing in the trees. 

Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar. 

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