News Story

The City’s 2023 budget passed last night in the Common Council after two nights of debate and discussion. The Mayor issued the following statement.

I am pleased that the Common Council passed a series of amendments that improve my budget, including a Parks volunteer coordinator who can put the power of the people to work for our beautiful City parks, a Sustainability Coordinator to help us advance climate action more rapidly, and additional funding to support Madison CARES, a mobile response unit for mental health crises.

In the capital budget, we made investments in affordable housing; infrastructure projects geared toward helping our City take action on climate change; and to build healthier neighborhoods.

In the operating budget, we invested in our youth, in public safety and violence prevention, and continue to build a strong, resilient and heathy Madison. I am very glad that the Common Council took another look at the plans for the Madison Public Market and gave it some thoughtful consideration. The Council expressed strong support for the Market Ready participants and I agree that the equity and empowerment aspects of the project are its most exciting features. I look forward to the Public Market becoming a reality.

This budget puts our money where our values are, building a better Madison that will be strong and resilient for years to come. I thank the Common Council for unanimously adopting the budget.