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City Budget by the Numbers plus this week's updates

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Hi Everyone,

Here are this week's updates:

City of Madison Budget by the Numbers 

  • Madison is the fastest growing city in Wisconsin; our population has increased by 50,000 people since 2014 and is projected to be over 300,000 by 2030. 
  • Since 2014, the total number of full-time City employees hasn’t kept pace with Madison’s population increase. In fact, 217 more workers would be employed if our workforce kept pace with our population. We are literally doing more with less, serving a rapidly growing population with a staff increasingly stretched beyond measure. 
  • Madison’s structural deficit is caused by the State Legislature strictly limiting the amount of revenue available to Wisconsin cities. Our structural deficit ahead of the 2025 budget is $22 million. 
  • Wisconsin cities are the most heavily reliant on property taxes in the entire Midwest. Wisconsin also has the tightest cap on increases. Moreover, just 35 percent of Madison residents’ annual property tax bill goes to the City. The rest goes to School Districts, Dane County, and Madison College.
  • Shared revenue payments to Wisconsin cities in 2024 averaged $195 per resident. Madison would be receiving $46 million more annually if it received the average. The City’s yearly payment would be $102 million more if it received what Milwaukee was provided ($400 per resident). Meanwhile the state has a $3.5 billion surplus that it refuses to allocate to municipalities in need. 
  • Madison residents get just 18 cents for every dollar we pay in state taxes, which is stunning when you think about it. That’s not just counting state aid to the City, but also includes state aid provided to the MMSD and Dane County. It is hard to view this as anything but intentional on the part of the GOPcontrolled State Legislature. 
  • Madison is receiving $29 per resident in shared revenue from the State, which, when adjusted for inflation, is $50 less per resident in shared revenue than the City received in 2000. Madison also received the lowest increase in shared revenue in the “historic boost” to local governments that was included in 2023 biennial state budget.
  • In Gov. Tony Evers’ last executive budget, he gave cities the option of enacting a local sales tax. Like previous state budgets, the State Legislature rejected that proposal as well as the ability to create a Regional Transit Authority (RTA). Had the State Legislature allowed the City to collect a .5% local sales tax, Madison would be able to generate in excess of $50 million annually, allowing for a reduction in property taxes. 
  • There’s currently $25 million in the City’s Rainy Day Fund. Finance staff recommends against filling the $22 million budget gap entirely with the Rainy Day Fund surplus. The structural deficit will continue to increase annually so the surplus should be spent prudently over several years. It’s imperative we maintain Madison’s AAA credit rating, which could be imperiled if the Rainy Day Fund is spent down too quickly.
  •  Either we increase revenue by passing the referendum on the November ballot or we cut services. The choice is yours.

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.

  • Urban Design Commission: The Urban Design Commission meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 14, in virtual format at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include adopting the Northeast Area Plan and the West Area Plan.
  • Public Safety Review Committee: The Public Safety Review Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday, August 14, in virtual format at 5:00 p.m. Agenda items include accepting a Wisconsin Department of Health Service donation of Narcan, fentanyl test strips and educational posters for overdose prevention.

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

Announcements and News Releases

  • Accessible Options for Voting: The City Clerk’s Office want to make sure voters know about accessible options for the August 13 Partisan Primary.  “In August and in November it’s important for all residents to feel confident that their voices are heard at the polls,” said Mayor… [Posted August 8, 2024]
  • Our Mammoth Mission for Food Scraps Composting: 22,000 Pounds in 2024: Our three free food scraps drop-off sites at farmer’s market locations around Madison have passed 10,000 pounds collected for composting this year. This is great news and puts us ahead of last year’s pace. In 2023, we composted a little more than 18,… [Posted August 7, 2024]
  • Hospitalized Absentee Voting Begins Tuesday, August 6: Today is the first day for hospitalized voters to have an absentee ballot delivered to them in the hospital. This process is available until 5 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, August 13. Hospitalized voters can initiate the process by appointing an… [Posted August 6, 2024]
  • Update on 2025 Budget Process : Madison agencies have submitted proposals for the 2025 budget that include options for a 5 percent reduction in services… [Posted August 5, 2024]
  • August Student Move Out Days Are Here: Last week, the Streets Division published information about our operations for the student move out area that will be in place from today, August 5, 2024, until August 23, 2024. [Posted August 5, 2024]

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

  • Partisan Primary Election Day, Tuesday, August 13, 2024, 7:00am – 8:00pm: Polling places open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
  • Lunch Time LIVE! 8/13: Mark Croft Duo, Tuesday, August 13: Chairs or walls may be used for balance assistance. On Tuesdays - June through August - a FREE outdoor concert series will take place from noon-1pm on the King Street walkway of the Wisconsin State Capitol. Chairs will be available, and blankets and lawn chairs are welcome on the lawn nearby.
  • Capitol View Farmers' Market, Wednesday, August 14: The Capitol View Farmers' Market is held weekly on Wednesdays (3:00-7:00pm) from late May through mid-October. Join us each week for great local vendors, live music, food carts, and special activities from week to week. Visit our website and follow us on social media for the most up-to-date information and schedules! (Location: far Eastside of Madison, near the Great Dane Eastside, 5901 Sharpsburg Dr.)

Parks Alive Dates!

Parks Alive builds stronger neighborhoods and connects neighbors to their parks through fun, family-friendly activities, music and free food. Events are held in parks across the city and throughout the summer. Connect with your neighbors and engage with your community at a Parks Alive event near you! Events start at 5:00 p.m.

Please find additional upcoming City of Madison Parks events listed on the City parks event calendar.

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

That's all for now.

Take care, stay safe, and vote!

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District 13 - Alder Evers

Alder Tag Evers

Alder Tag Evers

District 13
Contact Alder Evers