Voting and budget updates, Announcements & Events

Hello neighbors,

With just over 3 weeks to go until Election Day, I wanted to ensure you have all the relevant dates at hand:

• October 16: Last day to register at public libraries, online, or by mail.
• October 22: Last day to register at the Madison City Clerk’s office.
• October 22: Early in-person absentee voting begins – any public library, and many community locations. You may register onsite until November 1.
• October 25: Last recommended date to mail your absentee ballot to ensure it is received by November 5.
• November 3: Last day to vote early in-person absentee.
• November 5: Election Day! You may register at the polls. Find your polling location here.

Other voting-related announcements:

Ballot Buddies Provide Ballot Security: Two poll workers are involved in nearly every process at the polls. Leading up to Election Day, the City Clerk’s Office has two people involved whenever absentee envelopes are handled.

How Absentees Get Counted: What happens to your absentee ballot once you return it to the Clerk’s Office? You can learn the whole process here.

Voting as a College Student: College students may either register to vote at their campus location, or at their permanent residence.

City Budget updates:

• An intrepid resident has created a website that allows residents to look up their address and see their property taxes, assessed value, and inflation from 2016 to 2024. Check it out!
• Mayor Rhodes-Conway Releases 2025 Executive Operating Budget: Mayor Sayta Rhodes-Conway released her 2025 Executive Operating Budget, which details her plan to fund the services, programs, and skilled staff that sustain Madison’s high quality of life and keep our economy strong.
• D19 Exploring the 2025 Budget Series - Session 3: Diving into Cut Scenarios and the Impact of Cuts (VIRTUAL), Wednesday, October 16: This session will feature a deeper dive into cut scenarios and the impact of cuts. You can join the virtual meeting using your computer, smartphone, or tablet or listen in via telephone. You will receive login information after registering at www.cityofmadison.com/MeetingOctober16Budget. This session will feature a deeper dive into cut scenarios and the impact of cuts. Spanish and Mandarin interpretation will be available at this virtual meeting.
• District 6: Budget Outlook for 2025, Thursday, October 17: Join Alder Marsha Rummel of District 6 for an overview of the 2025 Capital and Operating Budget, including impacts for District 6/Downtown/near Eastside. At the end of the presentations, constituents can ask questions during a Q&A session.
• A Closer Look at Madison School, City Referenda, with the Wisconsin Policy Forum. October 17, 6-7:30pm, Edgewater Hotel. Please register in advance.

Announcements and News Releases

• Water main flushing begins Monday October 14, east of Midvale Blvd. and north of Mineral Point.
• Engineering staff is starting to mark deficient curb & gutter that needs to be replaced. They will use white paint to identify this curb and gutter. If you have any questions, please contact John Fahrney in Engineering.
• Street Closure - W Washington Avenue: Starting at 9:00 am on Wednesday, October 16th, Integrity Grading & Excavating Inc will close W Washington Avenue to vehicle traffic between Broom Street and Fairchild Street.
• Road Closures – Commercial Avenue and Highway 30: Starting at 8:00 pm on Tuesday, October 22, Commercial Avenue will be fully closed overnight.  Starting at 12:00 am on Wednesday, October 23, Highway 30 will be fully closed, overnight, to allow the contractor to place the new bridge overpass.
• Imagination Center at Reindahl Park Project to Receive $4.25 Million in Flexible Facilities Program Funding: Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA) announced this week that the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park will receive $4.25 million in grant funding through the DOA’s Flexible Facilities Program (FFP).
• Three dozen Madison businesses to take part in new BizReady program: Three dozen local businesses will get an opportunity to receive free training, mentoring, and networking opportunities through the City of Madison’s new BizReady program.
• Protect Yourself Against COVID & Flu This Fall with Updated Vaccines: Respiratory virus season is here, and public health officials are urging everyone in the community to get their updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
• Dane County Residents Log Over 5,000 Car-Free and Car-Light Trips, Making Significant Environmental Impact : In September, Dane County residents and commuters participating in the RoundTrip Smart Trips Challenge logged 5,457 car-free and car-light trips, collectively preventing over 10.3 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
• Report highlights positive impact SEED grants have had on food access: A new 2024 comprehensive evaluation report from Extension – University of Wisconsin-Madison found the City of Madison’s SEED grant program has been successful in its mission to expand access to healthy food across the City.
• City Launches Online Resource Hub in Honor of Digital Inclusion Week October 7-11: MADISON, WI – In honor of Digital Inclusion Week, the City of Madison is launching an online resource hub that is dedicated to connecting residents and City staff with things like workforce skills training, digital devices, Wi-Fi, digital literacy training and more.
• Fire Prevention Week Spotlights Importance of Working Smoke Alarms: The Madison Fire Department joins agencies across the country to celebrate national Fire Prevention Week. The occasion raises awareness about the most important ways to protect yourself and your household from fire-related injuries or death.
• Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award: The City of Madison invites you to submit nominations for its annual Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award.

Events

• Learn to Fall Safely, Monday, October 14 (this event occurs on multiple dates): SAFELY Learn to fall safely and to get backup without injury. Falls are a leading cause of death for older adults in Wisconsin. We will use thick “crash mats” for practicing .Classes are progressive. Attending all 4 classes recommended. Class meets at Madison Circus Space, but registration is through the Madison Senior Center. Scholarships available. Call 608-266-6581 to register.
• Bottom Dollars Screening and Discussion, Thursday, October 17: Bottom Dollars takes us into this world and informs us of these practices against disabled workers. View the film, have some popcorn, and stick around afterwards for a moderated discussion.
• Check out upcoming events at the Monroe Street library:
  • Oct. 16, 3:30pm: Read to a dog! A furry friend is a geat audience for emerging readers. Come and read to Lili or Roxy. Both are certified via Alliance for Therapy Dogs. Bring a favorite book, or grab one of ours. First come, first served.
  • Oct. 19 10am–noon: Make masks with Maria. Kids and adults are welcome. Maria will host a number of colorful and very fun Saturday art projects through December.
  • Oct. 19, 2:00pm. Join us for a Book Schmooze, an informal get-together to talk about books you’ve read lately, books you’ve loved, etc. Hear what others have been reading and get ideas for your next books. Space is limited. Please call 608 266-6390 during open hours to RSVP.
• Energy Resource Fair, Friday, October 18:MGE will provide energy saving tips and a chance to win a SMART Thermostat, Energy Services will be on site to assist with Energy Assistance qualifications, and Project Home will discuss our Weatherization program and how they can improve health, safety and save energy in your home.
• Hayrides & Hikes, Saturday, October 19: Tour Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North Unit aboard a tractor-pulled hay wagon, enjoy nature activities, take a self-guided hike, participate in the scavenger hunt or do it all! Plus enjoy free hot cider, a campfire, and marshmallows to roast on the fire.
• The Fair Housing Center of Greater Madison is offering a free in-person fair housing training seminar for owners and managers of rental properties, or staff operating shelters or residential programs, in Madison.Please note that this training is intended for housing providers, not housing consumers or members of the general public. 
  November 19, 2024, 6- 8 p.m. Pinney Branch of the Madison Public Library- 516 Cottage Grove Rd.
  The seminar will include information about the protected classes and prohibited practices delineated by local, state, and federal fair housing laws, as well as reasonable accommodations and modifications for tenants with disabilities. 
  If you need materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access our services, please call 414-278-1240.
• UW Homecoming: There will be a Homecoming Block Party at 650 N Lake St. on Friday October 25th. During this party there will be a firework show on Lake Mendota, visible from the Memorial Union, beginning at 8:45pm.

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

Be well,

Regina Vidaver