MADISON, Wis. — Dane County is faces a $31 million structural deficit as 2026 moves closer, a situation driven by rising costs and limited revenue streams further complicated by the ongoing federal government shutdown.
County Executive Melissa Agard rolled out her 2026 Executive Budget on Wednesday, hoping that the initiatives in the plan will close that financial shortcoming. The $903.6 million plan is a 3% drop from last year’s budget and includes a 2.4% reduction in total budgeted expenditures compared to 2025. The capital budget would be reduced by 30% compared to 2025.
Agard said the county was able to save nearly $14 million after department heads were made to cut their budgets by 4% earlier this year…