The 2025 Dane County budget was approved at the Dane County Board meeting on Wednesday. The operating budget totals $813,712,952 and raises taxes on the average Madison home by $19.65, an increase of 1.7%. The capital budget is $112,466,152, a 37.2% reduction from last year.
The adopted capital budget resolution includes $30 million total for affordable housing creation and preservation; two new Housing Program leaders to support housing navigation services in Dane County’s Joining Forces for Families program; one new program manager in the Housing Access and Affordability Division; one new assistant corporation counsel to support housing initiatives; one new planning position to help municipalities update their zoning codes; and funding for a new position at the Dane County Housing Authority.
Some of the adopted amendments include:
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Contribution of $250,000 to Wetland and Habitat Restoration to help mitigate flooding risk and help meet Dane County’s climate action goals;
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$2 million to be used toward the implementation of the city of Madison’s Lake Monona Waterfront Master Plan, with plans including park improvements, stormwater features, and bike/pedestrian paths;
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Increased support for children in county care and foster homes with a $60,400 position in the Prevention and Early Intervention-Alternate Care division of Human Services;
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$109,200 to add a Spanish medical interpreter position in the Department of Human Services; and
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Allocating $30,000 to provide funds to place at least six historical markers recognizing Dane County’s culturally diverse history.
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A focus of the 2025 budget is maintaining core services across Dane County departments, improving language access, funding the Alliant Energy Center’s operations and campus updates, and providing resources for reentry and jail diversion programs, among other additions.
