According to the city of Madison, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway on Tuesday released her proposed 2024 Executive Operating Budget at the Madison Central Library. The city of Madison’s operating budget funds the numerous services, programs, and skilled staff that sustain city services. The operating budget released complements the 2024 Executive Capital Budget, released in September, which funds city infrastructure, buildings, and other capital investments.
The city will implement a 1% across-the-board reduction to agency budgets, a measure which will save $3 million. The mayor’s proposed budget makes modest investments to improve city services. Changes in the 2024 Executive Operating Budget include:
- Additional funding for free and fair elections in 2024, including a presidential election;
- A new civilian emergency medical services coordinator in the fire department to support paramedic and emergency services programs;
- A contract with a third-party transport system to more efficiently take residents to Wisconsin’s secure mental health treatment facility in Winnebago;
- A citywide public information officer to help engage and respond to residents about city service;
- A combined park ranger and parking enforcement officer position to ensure overnight enforcement;
- New positions to support an expanded electric transit vehicle fleet;
- A modest pay increase to general municipal employees to provide parity with unionized employees, keep up with inflation, and secure a quality workforce; and
- Increased city support for community programs and services that address basic needs such as housing stability, early childhood care and positive youth development, employment training and career development, successful aging, crisis intervention and prevention, and access to neighborhood-focused resources. This budget provides a 5% cost-of-living adjustment over previous contract cycles to help these organizations recruit and retain key staff and respond to the effects of higher inflation.
Briefings of the Mayor’s Executive Budget will be presented to the Finance Committee on Oct. 9–10, and the Finance Committee will consider amendments at the meeting planned on Oct. 23. Final Common Council action is scheduled for Nov. 14–16. The full 2024 Executive Operating Budget can be viewed here.
