COUNTY BOARD APPROVES 2022 BUDGET
November 08, 2021
County Board Chair Analiese Eicher, (608) 571-6823
County Board
The Dane County Board of Supervisors approved the 2022 county budget at their meeting tonight. The operating budget totals $660,577,196. The capital budget is $94,175,900. The budget includes a levy increase of 4.4%, increasing taxes on the average home by $67.87.
The annual budget process takes place each October and November and sets spending priorities for the following calendar year. The County Executive released his proposed budget on October 1, and County Board committees have spent the last several weeks hearing from the public and making amendments regarding staffing and funding levels.
"County Executive Parisi proposed a budget that included many of the Board’s priorities, particularly related to behavioral health. We were able to build on the proposed budget to make a good budget even better, including additional funds for criminal justice reform, supporting the most vulnerable, and protecting the environment," said County Board Chair Analiese Eicher.
There were several amendments from the Board to the County Budget to address criminal justice reform including:
- $200,000 to expand gun violence prevention
- $67,617 to establish a pretrial services office
- Eliminate Huber fees, reducing revenue by $134,000
- Add a training officer for the Sheriff’s Office beginning October 1
- Increase a legal assistant position in the District Attorney’s Office at a cost of $29,500
Additionally, there were capital and operating amendments to support the most vulnerable with direct assistance and system assessment including:
- $75,000 to update a homeless plan
- $7,000 for community health equity grants
- Increase funding by $12,500 to expand the Double Dollar program benefits
- A $35,000 contract with Families Back to the Table to provide support to clients including housing, case management, and mentoring to name a few
- An additional $15,000 in funding for Afghan refugees
- $40,000 for a food system assessment
- $1 million in additional funds for a tiny house project
- $3,250,000 to convert a hotel into affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness and on the coordinated entry list
The Board also included operating and capital amendments related to the environment and sustainability including:
- $35,000 to control tree damaging invasives
- Increase LTE funding for forestry work by $25,000
- Add $300,000 for funding for the future implementation of recommendations from the City of Madison’s Monona Bay watershed study
- Increase the SMART fund by $100,000
- Include $10,000 in funding to increase purchase of trees for underserved areas
- $500,000 in funds for park accessibility projects
- $500,000 to purchase a conservation easement at the Voit farm
"Throughout the process, we were able to hear from members of the community about their priorities as we prepare to transition out of the pandemic. We still face uncertainty and challenges. I’m pleased that the 2022 budget will help even the most vulnerable among us endure those challenges," said County Board Supervisor Patrick Miles (District 34), who is also Chair of the Personnel and Finance Committee.
The budget will now go on to County Executive Parisi for his signature.