Greetings from Mayor Rhodes-Conway,

Establishing the city budget is an incredibly rewarding yet challenging task. In this era of declining federal support, stagnant state aid and limited local control, projected spending for current services exceeds allowable revenue growth. In other words, we have more expenses than income.

The estimated shortfall for 2020 is $9.5 million. With challenges come opportunities to innovate, collaborate and identify efficiencies. As you know, my priorities are affordable housing, rapid transit, addressing climate change impacts and a focus on racial equity. I have asked city department heads and staff to be creative in developing budget requests — to do the best we can with limited resources but also work to prioritize their budgets in those areas as well. 

Madison has always been a creative and innovative city through the bold ideas of our small entrepreneurs and cooperatives, to our world-class creative sector, we have sought out new approaches to our challenges. Our city government is no different — we have been at the forefront of innovation in neighborhood services, sustainability and culture. City staff are working hard to provide a stellar level of service to our residents and visitors. And they continue to do more with less. 

Since my election in April, I have been meeting with hundreds of residents, and not just community leaders. I talk to people who come to have coffee with me around the city, residents who attend community events, city employees, as well as others. I know you all love this city as much as I do. I look forward to continuing to listen, but also doing the hard work necessary to develop a spending plan that continues to provide great services while focusing on areas of mutual concern, like transit, affordable housing, racial equity and a sustainable environment.