When the Larger Systems Fail, Local Government Becomes Everything

The week after a national election always carries a particular weight. For many in our community, the results of November 5th have brought uncertainty and fear about what the next four years will mean for vulnerable populations, for social services, for the safety net that keeps people alive. Some of you are processing, some are organizing, and many are asking: what can we actually do?
Here's what I know: when federal and state systems abandon communities, local government becomes the frontline of survival. Your city government, your county government—these are the places where decisions about real human lives get made every single day. And this week, both the City of Madison and Dane County are in the middle of budget processes that will determine whether we meet this moment with the resources our community desperately needs.
Dane County Steps Up (But It's Still Not Enough)
Last Wednesday, the Dane County Board of Supervisors approved their 2026 budget, and despite facing a $31 million structural deficit, they made critical choices that reflect our community's values. The budget includes $825.6 million in operating expenditures and $90.5 million in capital projects. Most importantly for our homeless neighbors, the county committed $1.06 million for operations at the new Bartillon Drive men's shelter and another $440,000 for homeless outreach and overflow shelter capacity this winter.
This is significant. Historically, Dane County has been the primary funder of homeless services, and in the face of brutal budget constraints, supervisors fought to restore funding that was initially proposed to be cut. The final budget reduced proposed cuts to nonprofit "Purchase of Service" agencies from 4% down to just 1%, protecting organizations that provide everything from housing services to mental health treatment.
But let's be clear about what we're up against. The county is projecting a $30 million shortfall in 2027. County Board Chair Patrick Miles said it plainly: "When it comes to 2027 and we are still working away on the structural deficit issue, our choices will be more limited and my fear is we will be having to make some choices about elimination of some services and potentially some positions that are filled."
This is scarcity politics at work. When state-imposed revenue limits and federal funding uncertainty create artificial constraints, we're forced to choose between essential services instead of having honest conversations about revenue generation and what we truly value as a community.

The Bartillon Shelter: A Historic Opportunity That Needs Full Funding
The new 250-bed men's shelter at Bartillon Drive represents the first purpose-built shelter facility in Madison. Construction is tracking for completion in late December 2025, with operations beginning by the end of Q1 2026. This is a facility designed from the ground up to treat people experiencing homelessness with dignity and respect—with proper sleeping areas, cooking facilities, hygiene spaces, and room for wraparound services.
The construction costs were covered: $13.5 million from the City of Madison, $10.5 million from Dane County, and $2 million in federal funds. But construction is only the beginning. To operate this shelter 24/7/365 with the services people need to actually get back on their feet—case management, behavioral health services, housing navigation—requires approximately $4 million annually.
Right now, we have commitments totaling approximately $2.76 million:
City of Madison: $1.7 million (if approved by Common Council this week)
Dane County: $1.06 million (approved in county budget)
That leaves a gap of roughly $1.24 million. Without full funding, the shelter could be forced to operate like current overnight-only facilities—opening at night, closing in the morning, sending people back out to survive another day. That's not what this community built. That's not what we deserve.
A new organization, Shelter Friends of Dane County, has been formed to work on closing this funding gap through private sector and community fundraising. But here's what needs to be said clearly: this funding gap exists because our government funding mechanisms are broken. We're asking a nonprofit to fill a hole that should be covered by sustainable public investment. Housing vulnerable people in a climate where winter can kill should be a basic function of government, properly resourced through our collective commitment to each other.

Madison's Budget: The Decision Point Is This Week
The Common Council will begin budget deliberations Tuesday, November 11, at 5:30 p.m. This is when we'll determine whether to approve Mayor Rhodes-Conway's proposed $1.7 million for shelter operations. This is when we'll decide if Madison's historic commitment to homeless services is just a one-time gesture or the beginning of sustainable municipal investment.
If we're serious about treating homelessness as the crisis it is, this funding needs to pass. And it needs to be the floor, not the ceiling. The Council may continue deliberations on Wednesday, November 12 and Thursday, November 13 if needed.
What You Can Do Right Now
1. Show up for the budget meeting this Tuesday
When: Tuesday, November 11, 5:30 p.m.
Format: Hybrid (in-person or virtual)
Register for public comment: https://www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/committees/meeting-schedule/reg…
Watch online: https://media.cityofmadison.com/mediasite/showcase/madison-city-channel…
2. Contact your alder before Tuesday
Tell them you support full funding for Bartillon shelter operations and expect Madison to be a full partner with Dane County in addressing homelessness. Find your alder here: https://www.cityofmadison.com/council
3. Contact County Executive Melissa Agard
Thank her for including Bartillon funding in the county budget and urge her to sign the budget that the County Board approved. Email: county_executive@countyofdane.com
This Week's Meetings and Events
Common Council Meetings
Tuesday, November 11, 5:30 p.m. - Adopting the 2026 City Budget
Wednesday, November 12, 5:30 p.m. (if needed) - Budget deliberations
Thursday, November 13, 5:30 p.m. (if needed) - Budget deliberations
Community Events
Monday, November 10
Wright Design Series: Designing our Community - Potter Lawson's Evolution at Monona Terrace. For over a century, Potter Lawson has shaped Madison's landscape as the city's oldest architecture, planning, and interior design firm.
Thursday, November 13
Connecting D7: Learning Together with Alder Badri Lankella featuring MPD. Join this virtual lunch-and-learn featuring Chief of Police John Patterson and West District Captain Timothy Patton.
Friday, November 14
Public Art Dedication at Parks Lakeside Offices. The City of Madison will dedicate a significant late mid-century mosaic mural by acclaimed Dutch artist Arnold Zweerts.
Warner Family Fun Night at WPCRC. Families can create art projects, play in the gym, watch a movie or win prizes playing bingo!
Saturday, November 15
T-shirt to Tote at Monona Terrace. Give an old tee new life as a reusable tote! Visit the first indoor Dane County Farmers' Market of the season.
Bird & Nature Adventures: Fall Tree Walk at Starkweather Creek Area. Join Tree Expert Naturalist Sean Gere for a free family-friendly guided walk for all ages on easy paths along Starkweather Creek.
Sunday, November 16
Bird & Nature Adventures: Fat Bears and Chonky Squirrels at Warner Park. Join Wildlife Naturalist Kathlean Wolf for a free guided walk. Wild critters are busy fattening up and hunkering down as days get colder.

Visit RoundTrip at the Winter Bike Fashion Show. This free, family-friendly event features models showing off their winter biking gear, demonstrations on how to layer for cold-weather rides, and Q&A sessions.
Full meeting schedules and details available at: https://www.cityofmadison.com/city-hall/committees/meeting-schedule
Additional events: https://www.cityofmadison.com/events

The Path Forward Requires All of Us
In times when it feels like the larger systems are failing us, it's easy to feel powerless. But your local government is not an abstraction—it's accessible, it's accountable, and it responds to public pressure. The budget decisions being made this week will determine whether we're a community that takes care of our most vulnerable members or one that talks a good game while letting people freeze on the streets.
Our budgets are moral documents. They reflect what we value and what we believe we owe to each other. Right now, with unprecedented municipal investment on the table, we have a chance to demonstrate that Madison and Dane County will not abandon people when larger systems fail them.
But it only happens if you show up. See you Tuesday.
In solidarity,
Alder Carmella Glenn
District 18