MADISON, Wis — Affording a home in Dane County could get a lot easier after the 2025 budget was approved Wednesday night.
The 2025 capital budget resolution includes $30M total for affordable housing creation and preservation.
The operating budget totals in 2025 will be $813,712,952. The budget raises taxes on the average Madison home by $19.65, an increase of 1.7%. The capital budget is $112,466,152 a 37.2% reduction from last year.
According to Dane County’s Regional Housing Strategy, Dane County needs to create 1,765 new affordable rental units per year to meet the needs of the population for the next 15 years.
Some of the adopted amendments included
- Contribution of $250,000 to Wetland and Habitat Restoration to help mitigate flooding risk and help meet Dane County’s climate action goals.
- $2 million to be used towards the implementation of the City of Madison’s Lake Monona waterfront master plan, with plans including park improvements, stormwater features, and bike/pedestrian paths.
- Increased support for children in county care and foster homes with a $60,400 position in the Prevention and Early Intervention – Alternate Care division of Human Services.
- $109,200 to add a Spanish Medical Interpreter position in the Department of Human Services.
- Allocating $30,000 to provide funds to place at least six historical markers recognizing Dane County’s culturally diverse history.