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Let's Talk Budget 2026 Edition & Thanks

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Hola!

I appreciate your support in re-electing me as your District 10 alder. I am glad the campaign is over, and I don't have to divide my time between council, campaigning, and family life. The past 3 weeks included transitioning my presidential duties, getting acquainted with new committees, spending time with family, and reflecting on my first anniversary as a retiree. I am behind on emails, but I will get back to you.

It was an honor to serve as the First Latina Council President. This past year brought many challenges, and I am grateful for the support from people in the community and within the City staff. This opportunity gave me a closer view of the work of our staff. The Council Staff comprises five exceptional individuals, each with their areas of expertise and life experiences. They support 20 alders with daily inquiries, agenda setup, training, daily calls, community meetings, policy research, and more.

One of my priorities with the president's role was to support the Council office document and streamline existing processes. I built upon the efforts of Former Council Presidents Furman & Currie to update or eliminate outdated processes, create new ones, and, most importantly, write things down to ensure continuity when people move to other roles. Thank you to Council staff for their constant and professional support. To learn more about our staff, visit our Council page at: https://www.cityofmadison.com/council/about.

Every term, I have to experience something new when it comes to committees. Continuity is important, and being on committees that align with personal interests or expertise is great. But it is also essential to try new things, and being uncomfortable at new tables is okay. So this year, I have a mix of new and existing commitments. I look forward to learning new laws and processes and breaking bread at new tables.

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Image credit: yfc

Thank you for electing me, to reach me please email me at district10@cityofmadison.com or call me at 608-318-3838, and please registered to the blog. 

For daily meeting and news updates bookmark City News and Events This Week blog.

2026 Budget

The 2026 Budget Calendar is available online and the budget process is underway. Finance provided a brief presentation on the budget process at the February 17 Finance Committee (FC) meeting (File 87210, Recording Link). Capital requests presentation will be covered at the next FC meeting, scheduled for May 12 @4:30 PM.

2026 Budget Dates

Presentations on Federal Funding

Federal funding issues are presented at the Finance Committee. File 86892 a recurring discussion item that has all of the staff presentations on this topic. You can watch these presentation at the Finance Committee Meeting City Media Channel on February 3, March 3, and April 7. We will continue to provide briefings to FC on an approximately monthly basis. 

2026 Budget Finance Committee meetings:

  1. May 12: Capital Requests presentation
  2. September 8: Regular business + capital budget briefings
  3. September 9: Continuation of capital budget briefings
  4. September 29: Regular business + capital amendment deliberations
  5. October 13: Regular business + operating budget briefings
  6. October 14: Continuation of operating budget briefings
  7. October 27: Regular business + operating amendment deliberations

2025 Budget

The 2025 Adopted Budget is available online:

  1. Operating Overview: Background on the structural deficit and referendum, 5-year operating plan, and one-pager on “How to Read Agency Budgets”
  2. Capital Overview: Summary of capital budget policies, one-pager on “How to Read Agency Budgets”
  3. Outlook: Webpage with all of the informational materials and community outreach presentations related to the referendum.
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District 10 - Alder Figueroa Cole

Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole

Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole

District 10
Contact Alder Figueroa Cole

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