D6 Items of Interest Week of August 19, 2024

The Common Council takes up the question of authorizing and scheduling a referendum on Tuesday.

I will be proposing an amendment that will be posted in Legistar 84443 with the fiscal note tomorrow. I will ask the Council to consider reducing the Urban Forestry Special Charge (the UFSC’s cost to continue in 2025 is $7.5 million) by $7 million while increasing the amount of the property tax referendum from $22 million to $29 million. 

For most Madison households, this amendment will reduce the financial impact of a property tax referendum by lowering the cost of their municipal service bill.

Additionally, a $29 million referendum provides more in revenue for the 2025 budget, as well as future City budgets, compared to the $22 million referendum. This could potentially delay the need for new special charges. The Mayor’s long range plan (see link below) adds new special charges in 2025 if the referendum fails and in 2027 if the referendum passes, so moving the majority of the Urban Forestry Special Charge back onto the tax levy allows us to delay new charges and gives us more options before adding new special charges (infrastructure or parks).

Property taxes are less regressive than special charges. Whether a household is worth $350,000 or $700,000, the Urban Forestry Special Charge is flat. Every residential household pays the same amount. In 2024, it was $84 per year. Unlike special charges, taxes on residential properties are tied to the value of the home. 

A $7 million increase in the referendum amount (to a total of $29 million), would add $73/year to taxes average value home of $457,300, above the $230/year increase associated with the $22 million increase. The difference in the increase in taxes for the average value home between a $22 million or $29 million referendum is $6 month ($19 vs $25). 

A property tax increase would be lower for lower value properties (e.g., an additional $7 million on the property tax levy would increase taxes on a residence valued at $350,000 by $56/year) and higher for higher value properties (e.g., the increases in taxes on a residence valued at $750,000 would be $120/year).

At the July 16 Council meeting, Mayor Satya outlined her long range budget plan. The Mayor provided two scenarios: 5 year plans with and without a referendum (see pages 7 and 8). Many of you have seen news stories about city agencies offering 5% cuts for the Mayor to consider in her Executive Operating budget. The requested agency cuts total more than the $6M the Mayor proposes to cut in 2025 if the referendum fails. 

If the referendum fails, according to the Mayor’s scenario, we will need to find $6M in reductions every year for the next six years. We can’t cut our way out of this.

I don’t know whether my Council colleagues will adopt my amendment. I understand the referendum amount is higher than the $22M reported gap, but I believe it meets the Guidance for Developing the 2025 Budget the Council adopted in April. One of the key values included choosing the most progressive revenue options and the amendment follows the guidance to look at options to replace existing non-property tax revenues. Given that higher taxes are coming whether through a referendum or new special charges, I believe this amendment to increase the referendum amount and move the Urban Forestry Special Charge back on the tax levy would provide a benefit for the average property taxpayer.

First annual Madison Housing Week

AARP of Wisconsin is holding the first annual Madison Housing Week along with a coalition of housing advocates including 350 Wisconsin, Madison is for People, Sierra Club WI, Strong Towns, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, Realtors Association of South Central Wisconsin, Downtown Madison Inc, Smart Growth Greater Madison, WHEDA, and more.  

Programming continues through the week with presentations by leaders from Bayview and Madison Area Community Land Trust and others to discuss affordable and social housing, universal design, missing middle housing and building for climate change. 

The Madison Housing Week ends with a Dane County Executive candidate debate on housing Thursday August 22 at 6p at the Tinsmith. Registration and more details here

Boards, Commissions, and Committee Meetings

• Common Council: The Common Council meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 20, in virtual format at 6:30 p.m. Agenda items include authorizing the scheduling of a referendum relating to exceeding the municipal property tax limits in the City of Madison.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Watch Online
• Habitat Stewardship Subcommittee: The Habitat Stewardship Subcommittee meeting will take place on Tuesday, August 20, in virtual format at 4:30 p.m. Agenda items include the Habitat Management Plan for Moraine Woods Conservation Park.
  • Meeting Details
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Register for Public Comment
  • Watch Online

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

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.

Announcements and News Releases

• Northbound Lane Closure – N Lake Street: Starting Monday, August 19, R.G Huston will be restricting N. Lake Street, from University Avenue to Langdon Street, to one southbound lane to facilitate their sanitary sewer replacement project. Vehicles wanting to travel northbound on Lake Street… [posted August 16, 2024]
• Friends of Goodman South Madison Library to Host Book Sale on August 24: The Friends of Goodman South Madison Library are hosting a book sale event that will coincide with the Black Business Hub Ribbon Cutting and the 10th Annual Unity Picnic on Saturday, August 24. [posted August 14, 2024]
• Resurfacing – Maple Grove Road, Putnam Road and Stratford Drive: Starting Tuesday, August 13 Payne and Dolan will be reconstructing the asphalt surface on Maple Grove Road from McKee Road to Putnam Road.  Contractors will be working from Chester Drive to McKee Road during the project and will maintain one… [posted August 13, 2024]

• Madison Maintains Aaa Bond Rating 51 Years in a Row : This is the highest possible rating and reflects the City’s strong and diverse economy. [posted August 12, 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

• Lunch Time LIVE! 8/20: The Tooles: 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.
• Rooftop Movie Night: In the Heights (PG-13), Tuesday, August 20: Come and enjoy a movie on the beautiful rooftop of Monona Terrace: Based on the stage musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes, In the Heights tells the story of the predominately Dominican community of Washington Heights in New York City, where a bodega owner saves his pennies and pines for a better life back in the Dominican Republic. Directed by John M. Chu, the film stars Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, and Jimmy Smits. (Free and Open to Public, Musical, Runtime – 2hrs 22m)
• Capitol View Farmers' Market, Wednesday, August 21: 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!
• Movie in the Park [Burrows Park], Wednesday, August 21: Grab a blanket or lawn chair and join Madison Parks for a free movie in the park! Top Gun (1986), PG 1h 49m
• Learn to Pontoon with Madison Boats, Thursday, August 22: We've partnered with Madison Boats for this Learn to Pontoon class at Marshall Park. Join our amazing captains as they demonstrate the basics of driving a pontoon boat. This program is limited to adults over 25 looking to gain boating confidence from Madison Boats captains. Participants will learn how to properly drive a pontoon and to learn the basics of boating safety. Cost to participate is $10.55 per person. Register through Madison Boats.
• Orton Park Festival, Friday, August 23, Saturday, August 24 & Sunday, August 25: The 59th annual Orton Park Festival brings an incredible lineup of music to close out the summer, plus Cycropia Aerial Dance, vendors from the best of local restaurants and artists, craft beers and wines, kids' games and more!
• Dane Dances: Grupo Candela / Eddie Butts Band, Friday, August 23: Dane Dances is a free, family-friendly event held every Friday evening in August on the beautiful Monona Terrace rooftop. The much-anticipated summer music series promotes inclusivity for all ages and is a great way to get down and dance with your friends, family, or coworkers.
• Water Lantern Festival, Saturday, August 24: Our event is a family-friendly festival that brings together people from all walks of life. The festival includes local food vendors, music, and the release of water lanterns onto the water at sunset for a 90-minute window.
• Movie in the Park [Peace (Elizabeth Link) Park], Saturday, August 24: Join Downtown Madison's Business Improvement District (BID) and Madison Parks for a free movie in Peace Park! The Little Mermaid (2023), PG 2h 15m

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.

• Parks Alive at Hammersley Park on Wednesday, August 21
• Parks Alive at Owl Creek Park, Thursday, August 22

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.