Time to weigh-in on the City Budget 📊
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Hello Madison,
Now that Mayor Rhodes-Conway has released her Executive Budget Proposal, the Finance Committee will consider amendments at the Oct. 27 meeting, and the Common Council will take it up in early November. These are opportunities to engage with your elected officials and weigh in on Madison’s budget.
There are several resources available to help you learn more about the 2026 City budget:
Mayor’s Message
It’s critical the City of Madison make smart investments in our community while prudently using limited resources. I want to thank Madison residents for approving last year’s funding referendum. It was a show of support for the important services your City government provides. The additional revenue is an essential component for overcoming the state-imposed restrictions on local governments across Wisconsin. The community’s support for last year’s funding referendum has provided some much-needed flexibility without the need to cut existing services.
My 2026 Executive Operating Budget proposal has the lowest tax rate increase in at least 40 years. The City’s share of property taxes on the average valued home will go up by just $30 annually — below the inflation rate and nearly $5 million below the maximum allowed under the state’s levy limit.
My spending priorities in 2026 are focused on the basic support system that makes Madison a great place to live while confronting new challenges with compassion. I’m proposing an unprecedented investment in homeless services with $1.7 million in support for the new homeless shelter. Historically, it’s been the responsibility of other government entities and the private sector to provide emergency refuge to people experiencing homelessness. We will need these partners to also prioritize funding for the shelter to maximize the impact of this new facility and create a path for individuals to find permanent housing. The City is contributing an unprecedented level of funding and I’m confident the entire Dane County community will come together to do what’s right.
I’ve also included additional funding for the newly built Imagination Center at Reindahl Park so it can be fully staffed without diminishing services at the City’s nine other libraries. The far east side is one of the fastest growing parts of Madison and has lacked access to the services libraries provide to the community. The Imagination Center will fill that service gap and help ensure that all of Madison’s neighborhoods continue to thrive.
My budget also includes funding for a 10th ambulance company in the Madison Fire Department. Calls for service have doubled since 2005 and we receive more than 30,000 ambulance calls annually. In 2024, there were more than 200 times when every ambulance was responding to a call and that number is expected to increase. To address this problem, I’m proposing new positions at the Madison Fire Department to staff a new ambulance company. This is needed to prevent overworking employees and maintain our current response times, even while the City’s population increases by nearly 5,000 new residents each year.
Madison is a strong community with forward-thinking and compassionate residents who understand that policymaking at the local level must be practical, prudent, and provide real solutions. I'm looking forward to the input of Alders and the community during the final phases of our annual budget process. We are proving Madison can responsibly meet new challenges, preserve what’s so special about our City, and be proud of the future we are building together.
Respectfully,
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway
- 1. Claim a Free Energy-Saving Kit from Focus on Energy 🧡
While not as sweet as candy, you can still score some free treats for your home this Halloween. Focus on Energy provides no-cost packs filled with efficiency upgrades that lower utility bills. Think Energy Star LED light bulbs that use about 90% less electricity than traditional bulbs and last much longer. Or try a water-saving shower head that cuts heating and water costs without sacrificing pressure. We recommend the Focus on Comfort pack, as it's a great way for renters and homeowners to prevent drafts from leaky windows.
Each household can request one free kit per year through the Focus on Energy website. You can also shop their online marketplace for discounted items like window film and draft stoppers.
- 2. Keep Streets Clear of Leaves 🍂
One of the best parts of fall are the changing colors. These leaves are beautiful, but when left in the street, they can harm Madison’s lakes. As rainwater passes through piles of leaves, it creates a phosphorus-rich runoff, often called “leaf tea,” that flows into storm drains and fuels harmful algae blooms. You can help by composting or mulching your leaves, following city yard-waste rules, and removing leaves from curbs before rainfall.
To make it easier, sign up for Leaf-free Streets Rain Alerts, which run from October 1st through November 30th. These text or email reminders will let you know when to clear leaves before a storm.
- 3. Improve Indoor Air Quality with a New Filter or Purifier 🎃
Fall brings cozy aromas like pumpkin spice and apple pie, so it’s also a good time to swap out the filter in your furnace or heating system. While you’re at it, Focus on Energy also offers discounted, Energy Star certified air purifiers on its website. These simple steps reduce allergens and irritants such as mold, dust, pet dander, pollen, and smoke, so you can breathe easier all season. For those that suffer from fall allergies, these air purifiers can be a really good medication-free way to relieve congestion.
- 4. Adjust Your Ceiling Fan Rotation 🍁
A fan can be your best friend in both hot and cold seasons, if you set it correctly. In fall and winter, set ceiling fans to spin clockwise. This pushes warm air from the ceiling down into the room, helping maintain a comfortable temperature without raising the thermostat. Come spring and summer, switch the blades back to counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze.
- 5. Check if Your Home Needs More Insulation 🌇
Think of insulation as your home’s cozy sweater. Proper insulation and air sealing not only keep you warm in winter but also help cut energy bills year-round. Focus on Energy works with local contractors who can conduct a home assessment to identify where heat is escaping. Many homes benefit from added insulation in attics, walls, foundations, or sill boxes. Eligible upgrades may qualify for cash incentives of up to $3,000.
There are $500 instant rebates for low-income residents, which often means that the energy assessment is at no-cost. If you are nervous about going all in on an assessment, a good first step is to use Focus on Energy’s free 10 minute online assessment. A reminder that IRA Tax Credits expire on 12/31/2025, but Focus on Energy and IRA Home Energy Rebates will exist beyond that deadline.
Get started or call 800-762-7077.
- 6. Ease into Fall Temperatures with a Smart Thermostat 🌡️
As the weather cools, be sure to ease your air system and yourself into the season. Avoid making a stark transition by lowering your thermostat one degree each day until you reach a comfortable 68° while you are home. When you are asleep or away at the haunted house, drop it to around 60–65° to boost efficiency and savings. Using a programmable or smart thermostat will make these daily adjustments automatic, helping to lower your energy bills.
MGE customers with smart thermostats can join their MGE Connect program to receive $25 annually, as well as an extra $25 for joining.
What would you like to see in the City Newsletter?
Contact City Communications Manager Dylan Brogan — he'd appreciate it a bunch!
This content is free for use with credit to the City of Madison.
