Madison Common Council Begins 2027 Budget Deliberations

Madison officials begin a week of fiscal and policy deliberations that could set the city's long-term operational budget and rules.

According to the City of Madison, the Common Council is set to begin intensive 2027 budget deliberations during a hybrid meeting on Tuesday, November 10, at 5:30 p.m.

The budgetary process is expected to be a multi-day affair. If the Tuesday session does not resolve the necessary items, the Council has scheduled potential follow-up meetings for Wednesday, November 11, and Thursday, November 12, both at 5:30 p.m. in a virtual format.

While the Council focuses on the city’s finances, a specific workgroup is tackling matters of public safety and transparency. The President’s Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures will meet virtually on Monday, November 9, at 5:00 p.m.

Beyond the halls of government, residents in the Near West area are reaching the final stages of a major planning phase. The city is hosting its last virtual sessions for the Near West Area Plan Kick Off Meeting on Monday, November 9, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

These meetings serve as a platform for residents to ask questions and provide feedback on the future of their neighborhood. To assist with visual context, the city has released a new Near West Area Storymap on its website to help community members visualize proposed changes.

The week also features several community-focused educational and cultural events. On Monday, November 9, the Madison Police Department’s East District will host a “Coffee with a Cop” event, providing a casual setting for residents to interact with officers.

For those looking to increase personal preparedness, the city is offering Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events training on Monday, November 9. The training focuses on the “Avoid, Deny, Defend” principles intended to increase survival chances during the critical first minutes of an incident.

Period Party Series: Public Health Madison & Dane County, in partnership with the Madison Public Library and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, are hosting an educational event on Monday, November 9.
Home Maintenance: A course on understanding and maintaining home furnaces is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, to help residents prepare for winter.
Homeownership: A free, in-person Homebuyer Education Workshop is set for Saturday, November 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

In District 11, a Neighborhood Town Hall is scheduled for Tuesday, November 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the Odana Hills Golf Course Clubhouse. The meeting will address the proposed Odana Road redesign and upcoming changes to the Odana Hills Golf Course Clubhouse, with staff from Parks and Mobility & Infrastructure expected to attend.