More info on 2025 City budget, Announcements & Events

Hello neighbors,

Here are some additional resources to help understand the upcoming referendum on Madison’s City budget:

• Madison “by the numbers” document
• Video sponsored by the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce hosting the Wisconsin Policy Forum on the City and school district referenda (start at around 4:25)
• Wisconsin Policy Forum review of the 2024 budget – which explains the need for increased revenue sources for 2025 and beyond
• The “Ask Me Anything” session.
• D19 Exploring the 2025 Budget Series - Session 1: BRT and its Impact on the City Budget, Wednesday, September 18: Join District 19 Alder John Guequierre as he leads a series of three educational sessions to provide residents with an in-depth look at the City of Madison budget. Topics at each session will include a brief overview of the budget deficit and need for multi-year plans, a deeper dive into a few complicated issues, initial 5-year plans with and without a successful referendum, and agency proposals for cuts. Since service reductions may ultimately be required regardless of referendum results, Alder Guequierre is seeking your input on cuts. Residents will have the opportunity to speak personally at the two in-person sessions, through chat at the virtual session, and via an on-line survey at all sessions.

Announcements and News Releases

• Southbound Intersection Closure: Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Doty Street: Starting Monday, September 16, R.G Huston will begin concrete pavement restoration within the Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard and Doty Street intersection.
• West Area, Northeast Area Plans pass Common Council; work on Southwest, Southeast Area Plans begins this fall: The City of Madison Common Council approved the first two Area Plans under the City’s new Planning Framework.
• Common Council approves change to allow more affordable student housing: The City of Madison Common Council approved a change to the city’s zoning code to expand the existing downtown affordable housing incentive so it can be used to create more affordable housing specifically for college students.
• Voter Registration Drive Precautions: The Madison City Clerk’s Office urges voters to check their registration online at https://MyVote.wi.gov, especially if they completed a voter registration form with someone who approached them on the street.
• Sample Ballots Now Available: The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. You can find a sample ballot for your address at https://MyVote.wi.gov.
• City Clerk's Office begins mailing absentee ballots to voters with requests on file, Thursday, September 19: Track the status of your absentee at My Vote.
• Celebrate Disability Voting Rights Week: The City Clerk’s Office is celebrating Disability Voting Rights Week by highlighting accessible options for exercising your right to vote.
• City of Madison celebrates groundbreaking for Theresa Terrace townhomes. The City of Madison is taking steps to address the shortage of “Missing Middle” housing, starting with one of its own properties. The City’s Community Development Authority broke ground today on a project to redevelop its vacant duplexes at 1309 and 1401 Theresa Terrace into a new set of townhomes that will be permanently affordable rentals.
• As Madison continues to make strides towards net zero emissions, help name our electric collection trucks!

Events

• Capitol View Farmers' Market, Wednesday, September 18: 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!
• BRT Station Open House – Downtown, Thursday, September 19: Stop by to preview the station, ask questions and Pick up a Fast Fare card!
• D7 Lunch and Learn featuring the City of Madison Community Development Division, Thursday, September 19: Alder Nasra Wehelie is excited to resume her monthly Lunch and Learns, starting on Thursday, September 19, from 12 – 1 p.m. This Lunch and Learn will feature staff from the Community Development Division, who will talk about the 2025 budget deficit and how this might affect the organizations the City of Madison supports.
• Lakefront Porch Park Ribbon Cutting, Thursday, September 19: The Lakefront Porch Park culminates nearly 15 years of work by neighborhood volunteers, District 4 alder, city leaders, and professional organizations that donated their expertise.
• Friends of Hoyt Park workday, Saturday, September 21, 10am-noon. Meet at the main parking lot.
• Trucks and Treasures, Saturday, September 21: Kids of all ages (adults too!) are welcome to see, climb and explore the featured public service machinery and equipment and meet the City employees who operate each.
• Madison Fire Department Zoo Takeover, Saturday, September 21: The Madison Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division and your Vilas neighborhood firefighters are taking over the Henry Vilas Zoo! Stop by to learn about home fire safety and fire prevention while visiting your favorite zoo animals.
• Firefighter Fun Day at Fire Station 9, Saturday, September 21: Firefighter Fun Day returns to Fire Station 9! The firefighter/EMTs of Fire Station 9 open their doors for an afternoon of fun for the whole family! Stop by for free food, drinks, music, games, fire truck and ambulance tours, fire station tours, and more! All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• Summer Nights at Westmoreland – final concert September, 21, 5-9pm.
• Library Takeover Team hosting Day of Indian Mindfulness activities, September 28 at Central Library.
• Events at Monroe Street Library:
  • Come to the Library League book sale on Sat., Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. held in conjunction with the Monroe Street Festival. A bag sale will begin at 1:00.
  • Also on Sept. 21: Stuffed Animal Mending Clinic from 10 a.m. - noon. Is Lambie's stuffing unstuffing? Is Big Bossy's ear nowhere to be found? Christina can help you learn to visually mend your beleaguered beloved stuffed buddy with sewing and fabric patches. While skills are targeted at adult learners, kids are welcome with an adult. Please register at madpl.org/careandrepair, or by calling us at 608 266-6390 during open hours.
  • Sat., Sept. 28, 10 - 11:30 am: Visible Mending with Rita. Rather than try to mask a damaged area on your clothing, learn to highlight imperfections in a creative, eye-catching way with patches and embroidery floss. Rita will share their process using stick and stitch guides. This program is for older teens and adults. No registration is required.
  • Also on Sept. 28 at 2:30, and also supported by Beyond the Page: celebrate the freedom to read by joining our discussion of All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir/Manifesto by George M. Johnson. This young adult book has the distinction of being one of the most banned books of 2023. We have a stack of the books here to check out. Teens and adults are welcome to join our discussion.

Metro Transit - Fast Fare Pick Up! Pick up a Fast Fare card and get help from City of Madison staff. To learn more about Fast Fares, please visit the Fast Fares webpage.

• Fast Fare Pick Up at Lakeview Library: September 16, September 19 & September 25
• Fast Fare Pick Up at Alicia Ashman Library: September 16
• Fast Fare Pick Up at Sequoya Library: September 17 & September 26
• Fast Fare Pick Up at Meadowridge Library: September 18 & September 26
• Fast Fare Pick Up at Central Library: September 19, & September 25
• Fast Fare Pick Up at Pinney Library: September 23

For the full list of upcoming events, please visit the City events calendar.

Take care,

Regina Vidaver