MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Dozens of residents, health care workers and former patients filled the Dane County City-County Building Thursday night, urging supervisors to restore funding to local health and human service programs facing a 4% reduction in the proposed 2026 budget.
Back in May, County Executive Melissa Agard asked all county departments to trim their budget requests by 4% to help close a projected shortfall. At the time, Agard cited rising operational costs and capital project expenses, insufficient state funding and what she called “deepening uncertainty” from the federal government.
That directive has drawn concern from county-funded agencies and nonprofits that say the reductions could jeopardize essential programs for families, children and people living with mental health challenges…