Please support operating budget amendments with intentional and equitable impact

Hi, 

Image credit: Image by Salman Metobo from Pixabay

I’m writing this update from the birthing room of my newest nephew and his mom. She asked me to be her advocate while she’s in the hospital to deliver her third child – who will be my 7th nephew.  We’re about 24hrs into the process and baby and mom are doing well so far and the doctor believes he’ll be delivered by the end of her shift at 7pm today.  I’m excited, however, as her advocate I am also very alert and doing my best to be compassionate and intentional in how I support her throughout this process.  

Intention – that’s heavy on my mind today, so it’s how I’ll begin talking with you about the two budget amendments I’m sponsoring on tonight’s Finance Committee agenda. 

Actually our agenda asks some great questions that should not be overlooked: 

Consider: Who benefits? Who is burdened? 

Who does not have a voice at the table? 

How can policymakers mitigate unintended consequences?

I’m proposing two targeted amendments to the 2026 City budget because I believe that when taxpayer dollars are invested intentionally, we can uphold equity, justice, and opportunity in every neighborhood, especially in communities of color.

Amendment #3: Competitive RFP Process for Downtown Programming:

For over 20 years the downtown Business Improvement District has received significant funding without a competitive Request-for-Proposal (RFP) process. That longstanding structure quietly perpetuates inequity: it channels public dollars into a process that doesn’t require intentional outreach, cultural relevance, or competition from newer, diverse organizations.

Image credit: WOCinTech

Without a competitive process, many organizations led by people of color, emerging entrepreneurs, culturally focused groups, and grassroots leaders have not been able to access those funds — despite having proven capacity and community trust.

A competitive RFP process opens the door to:

• Organizations led by and serving communities of color
• Transparent review criteria that values cultural relevance, equity, and innovation
• A broader diversity of programming downtown that reflects our full community

This amendment does not reduce funding for downtown programming. It broadens access, increases fairness, and invests in programs that better reflect the diversity of our City — not just the same institutions year after year. 

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Amendment #7: Add 1.0 FTE Parks Program Coordinator:

The second amendment is equally important. We are requesting funding for one full-time Parks Program Coordinator whose focus will be proactive outreach and youth engagement — especially at Goodman Pool and in surrounding neighborhoods and the local schools. 

Here’s why this matters:

• Goodman Pool experienced multiple significant youth disturbances, highlighting a gap in proactive support
• Black youth in Madison are disproportionately impacted in the juvenile justice system — more arrests, longer detention stays, and a higher likelihood of receiving disorderly conduct citations

This role is not a policing substitute. It is a deflection tool — building trusted relationships, and creating structured opportunities so that youth have positive alternatives and supports.

If we don’t do upstream work, downstream systems step in. Those systems too often criminalize Black and brown youth.

By funding this position, we invest in deflection, equity, and community wellness.

I ask my Council colleagues to support Amendment #7.

Here’s why they both matter and why now:

These amendments are about more than budget line items. They are about who we invest in, how we invest, and what outcomes we prioritize. They shift us:

• From reactive to proactive
• From opaque to transparent
• From one-size-fits-all to culturally responsive

I bring these amendments forward with a proven track record of advocating for equitable investments as Alder. For example:

• Leading the charge for the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, ensuring northeast side residents have access to learning, creativity, and community centered space
• Strengthening the youth programming RFP process in the Community Development Division to improve the chances that proven at risk youth will have access to relevant programming
• Working with Chief Patterson with MPD to identify youth disorderly conduct hot spots, to help guide strategic investment to reduce unnecessary disorderly conduct citations

Time and time again, I have used my role to center equity in our budget conversations. These amendments continue that work — not start it.

For many residents across the City — many of whom are communities of color, lower-income, and too often under-resourced — these amendments mean a fairer shot at publicly funded programs, stronger youth support, and a city that invests in their brilliance, not just the status quo. 

I invite every resident and every colleague on this Council to join me in urging support for these amendments. 

Because these amendments help to “...mitigate unintended consequences.”

• You can register for public comment on agenda item #4. 

• You may also email the Finance Committee at  financecommittee@cityofmadison.com. 

• Please note we meet today at 430pm and this will be hybrid meeting.

Thanks for your partnership,

Alder Madison