Madison365 reported that Dane County could be facing a budget deficit in 2027, according to a memo it obtained prepared by Controller Charles Hicklin.
According to that memo, the deficit could reach about $32 million due to increased expenses and a lack of a surplus to cover increased costs. It could lead to layoffs of nearly 10% of its workforce.
District 1 Supervisor Colin Barushok, the only supervisor who responded to a request for comment from Madison365, said the state Legislature is to blame.
“A lot of Dane County’s budget challenges are the artificial result of an unfair shared revenue formula imposed by the state of Wisconsin,” he wrote in an email to Madison365. “Our residents pay their income taxes, but the state Legislature has refused to return that revenue back to Dane County fairly.
“The Legislature also limits the property tax levy in such a way that local revenue can’t keep up with inflation. I hope when Democrats take majorities in the state Legislature in 2026, they help us ensure Dane County receives its fair share and provide us with additional revenue flexibility.”
