Madison Common Council to Meet on 2027 City Budget on Nov 10

As the city prepares to finalize its financial roadmap for the coming year, Madison residents are looking toward a high-stakes week of civic decision-making.

The Common Council is set to meet on Tuesday, November 10, at 5:30 p.m. for a hybrid session that will determine the final shape of the 2027 City Budget.

This budget cycle represents a tight balancing act. According to the City of Madison, WI, the operating budget—which covers essential services and staff salaries—faces rigid revenue and spending caps imposed by state law. These constraints limit the city’s ability to expand services or hunt for new revenue, forcing alders to make difficult choices regarding where to allocate finite resources.

A major policy shift appearing in the 2027 proposal is the formal funding for body-worn cameras for the Madison Police Department. This move coincides with an ongoing, intense focus on police transparency and accountability. The department’s proposed funding allocation sits at $102,492,663, the largest single agency expenditure in the budget. Other allocations include $81,114,847 for the Fire Department and $30,473,161 for the Streets Division.

For the average homeowner, these numbers translate to a specific tax impact. The proposed mill rate for 2027 is 6.93, a slight decrease from the 7.01 rate in 2026. For a home valued at $500,300, this would result in a city property tax portion of $3,466. While these figures provide a baseline, they do not yet account for the full property tax levy, which includes school and county components.

The conversation surrounding law enforcement goes beyond the budget spreadsheet. The Madison Police Department has enlisted independent researchers Professors Ian Adams and Scott Mourtgos from the University of South Carolina to conduct an unbiased review of use-of-force practices. This project, scheduled to begin in January 2027, aims to evaluate training, de-escalation, and deadly force policies.

This research effort works in tandem with the Common Council President’s Workgroup on Madison Police Department Use of Deadly Force, De-Escalation, and Body-Worn Cameras Policies and Procedures. The workgroup holds its own meeting on Monday, November 9, at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the release policies for body-worn camera footage.

For residents seeking a more informal dialogue, the East District will host a “Coffee with a Cop” event on Monday, November 9, at 9:00 a.m. at Mercies Coffee on Eagen Road.

Beyond municipal operations, the Greater Madison Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is currently updating “Pathways 2050,” the long-range plan that will dictate regional transportation priorities—from public transit to biking and walking infrastructure—over the next two to three decades. The MPO is now transitioning from its initial community feedback phase to a series of virtual meetings intended to present findings and outline the next steps for the region’s infrastructure investments.

The city’s calendar for the week of November 9 also includes several community-focused initiatives. Madison is participating in the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims from November 9 through November 15, an effort tied to the city’s Vision Zero initiative.

The Public Health Madison & Dane County team, in partnership with the Madison Public Library, is launching its annual "Period Party" series, which this year features clinical expertise from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.

The final adoption of the 2027 budget on November 10 will set the trajectory for city services through the coming year, marking the conclusion of months of deliberation and public input.