2027 Executive Operating Budget
At a glance
- What: The Mayor's 2027 Executive Operating Budget (file 94621). The Common Council held a public hearing on it on October 20, 2026; the minutes record no motion or vote on the budget itself.
- Where it stands: Introduced October 6, 2026 under Operating Budget; hearing held October 20 after a recess for public comment. Budget meetings are scheduled for November 10, with November 11 and 12 held in reserve "if needed" (the minutes print the third date as 11/12/16, an apparent typo for 2026).
- Next: The 2026-11-10 - Common Council agenda (item 13) is to adopt the 2027 City Budget (levy figure blank on the agenda) and a supplemental $4,898,934 increase in the 2026 allowable levy (Wis. Stat. 66.0602(3)(f)); operating amendments include the NACOLE scope and a body-worn cameras memo. Possible continuation November 11 and 12. Earlier plan: Council budget meeting Tuesday, November 10, 2026, hybrid (virtual and Room 201 of the City-County Building); a further hearing on November 10 is also noted on the agenda record.
What the minutes show
- September 22, 2026: the Council held a public hearing on the 2027 Executive Capital Budget (file 94620). No motion on the capital budget is recorded that night.
- October 6, 2026: the 2027 Executive Operating Budget was listed under Operating Budget with no action recorded.
- October 20, 2026: the item was heard as a public hearing. The Council took a recess for public comment and reconvened with all 21 members present. The minutes do not list speakers or summarize testimony, and no amendments are recorded.
- Meeting formats confirmed by the Council on September 22, October 6 and October 20 (item 89031, 89032, 89033): November 10, 11 and 12 (budget) hybrid; November 24 virtual; December 8, 2026 hybrid; and hybrid meetings January 12 through March 30, 2027.
Gaps
- The minutes do not give budget totals, tax levy figures or testimony. The Executive Operating Budget document itself was not in the text read.
Sources
- Common Council meeting minutes, October 20, 2026 (approved): https://madison.legistar1.com/madison/meetings/2026/10/28490_M_COMMON_COUNCIL_26-10-20_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
- Common Council meeting minutes, October 6, 2026 (approved): https://madison.legistar1.com/madison/meetings/2026/10/28489_M_COMMON_COUNCIL_26-10-06_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
- Common Council proceedings, September 22, 2026 (approved): https://madison.legistar1.com/madison/meetings/2026/9/28488_M_COMMON_COUNCIL_26-09-22_Proceedings.pdf
- Common Council agenda, October 20, 2026: https://madison.legistar1.com/madison/meetings/2026/10/28490_A_COMMON_COUNCIL_26-10-20_Agenda.pdf
- Finance Committee minutes, October 26, 2026 (approved): https://madison.legistar1.com/madison/meetings/2026/10/28583_M_FINANCE_COMMITTEE_26-10-26_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
Log
2026-10-20 - Common Council
Public hearing on the 2027 Executive Operating Budget. Recess for public comment, then reconvene with 21 present. No vote recorded. Council also accepted President Madison's meeting-format schedule through March 30, 2027 (item 89033), keeping November 10 for the budget.
2026-10-06 - Common Council
Operating budget (file 94621) listed for introduction under Operating Budget; no action recorded. Meeting-format schedule confirmed.
2026-09-22 - Common Council
Public hearing on the 2027 Executive Capital Budget (file 94620); no action recorded.
2026-10-22 - Page created
Created from a posted agenda.
2026-10-26 - Finance Committee
Budget hearing session. The committee deliberated on operating budget amendments (results attached to file 94621 as "2027 Operating - FC Amendments - Adopted") and voted by voice to recommend that Council adopt the 2027 executive budget as amended. One person registered to speak on the budget. Council budget meeting remains November 10.
2026-11-10 - Common Council
Scheduled budget deliberations: adopt the 2027 City Budget, supplemental levy increase of $4,898,934 for 2026, operating amendments. Outcome not yet recorded.