As I write this we are in the midst of preparing the 2020 operating and capital budgets that spread a little over 1,000 pages. As the fastest growing county in Wisconsin, we face many challenges. Our programs and services are wide and variable, ranging from the airport to the zoo. As a compassionate community that tries to understand and enhance the lives of others, there are numerous initiatives designed to enhance quality of life.

For those facing the challenges of coping with mental health issues, we are striving for awareness and acceptance, partially through the creation of the new CJ Tubbs Fund for Hope, Healing and Recovery. It provides grants to enhance community-based mental health and addiction services in addition to the $63.5 million currently budgeted for mental health treatment and services.

Public safety continues to be a high priority throughout county government. To respond to severe storms, flooding and power outages, Dane County Emergency Management, with its highly trained and well organized staff, will be moving to a permanent modern emergency facility that will better help us respond to the growing impact of climate change. Special attention has recently been focused on increasing capacity and flow in the Yahara Lakes, using hydraulic dredging, sediment and aggressive weed removal.

Based on a successful pilot project connecting parents who are incarcerated with their children called “Parenting Inside Out,” the budget calls for a new family connections coordinator to help reduce recidivism. This initiative strengthens critical bonds between parents and children impacted by being in jail. 

A new jail population manager will help identify and resolve issues with persons who are incarcerated for longer than they should be, sometimes because of communication issues within the many facets of the criminal justice system. This longtime reform recommendation is finally coming to fruition.

Supervisor Rusk can be reached at 249-9667 or rusk@countyofdane.com.