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Hey #DaneCounty!
WRITE IN progressive Nathan Kalmoe for State Senate vs Hesselbein!
www.nathan-kalmoe.com
#Madison #Middleton #Waunakee #Verona #CrossPlains #Mazo #BlackEarth
November 2, 2026 at 8:26 PM
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Dane County's budget is under review, with key cuts reinstated and a controversial $25,000 reduction to the Madison reading project sparking debate on funding solutions.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #PublicFinance #EducationFunding #DaneCountyBudget #CommunitySupport
Committee hears county budget timeline, reinstated POS restoration and Madison reading project cut
Staff reported personnel and finance has the county budget and it should be finalized in weeks; highlights included reinstatement of a 1% cutback to POS agencies, failed management-level cuts, and a $25,000 amendment cutting the Madison reading project.
citizenportal.ai
October 31, 2026 at 5:20 PM
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The newly released Dane County Food System Action Plan, shaped by the voices of over 3,200 residents, aims to transform local food systems with seven strategic goals for a sustainable future.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #EquitableDevelopment #DaneCountyFoodSystems
Dane County Food System Action Plan released; presenters ask supervisors to help connect plan to county work
Presenters said the Dane County Food System Action Plan (released August 2026) grew from intensive 2025 community engagement (over 3,200 residents across 15 municipalities) and lays out seven goals for equitable, resilient food systems; the core team is seeking county board presentations and partners for implementation.
citizenportal.ai
November 1, 2026 at 6:59 PM
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Dane County's new legislative lobbyist, Robbie Abrahamian, is gearing up to tackle budget challenges and fight for crucial funding amidst looming Medicaid cuts and SNAP changes.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #HealthcareReform #LocalFunding #BudgetPressure
Dane County introduces Robbie Abrahamian as new legislative lobbyist
Robbie Abrahamian introduced himself as Dane County's new legislative lobbyist and told the committee he will press state and federal partners for funding to address a structural county deficit and changes to Medicaid and SNAP that threaten local budgets.
citizenportal.ai
October 30, 2026 at 8:29 AM
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Critical federal funding for vital programs supporting older Americans hangs in the balance as Congress faces a looming deadline and potential budget cuts.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #DaneCountyOlderAdults #AgingSupport #FederalFunding #CommunityCare
Committee warned federal funding for Older Americans Act programs is uncertain
Staff warned that the current continuing resolution runs to Dec. 11 and that proposed FY27 increases for Title III programs may not happen; the OMB rule and a House move to cut Title V were cited as risks to national programs.
citizenportal.ai
October 30, 2026 at 8:17 AM
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Dane County is bucking the national trend with no wait list for home-delivered meals, but looming volunteer shortages could jeopardize this vital service.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #FoodSecurity #AgingSupport #VolunteerRecruitment
Dane County says it has no meal wait list but volunteer shortages risk service continuity
Staff told the committee Dane County currently has no wait list for home-delivered meals even as 65% of AAAs nationally report wait lists; volunteers remain a challenge and the county is procuring shelf-stable meals for snow-day contingencies.
citizenportal.ai
October 30, 2026 at 8:18 AM
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Dane County boasts a wealth of diversion options, yet many programs remain underutilized due to coordination challenges and lack of awareness among key stakeholders.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #ProgramCoordination #JusticeReform #DaneCountyDiversion #EquitableAccess
Pathways consultant: Dane County well resourced on diversion but programs underutilized and siloed
Jessica Ireland reported national best practices and site-visit observations: Dane County has a wide range of diversion options but inconsistent screening, overlapping eligibility, and limited coordination lead to underutilization; she recommended mapping programs and convening stakeholders to build a diversion continuum.
citizenportal.ai
October 27, 2026 at 12:12 AM
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A bold proposal in Dane County aims to redirect ALPR funds to provide free communications for jail residents, emphasizing the power of connection in rehabilitation.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #CommunityCommunications #RehabilitationSupport #MentalHealth #DaneCountyJail
Supervisor proposes redirecting ALPR funds to free jail communications, citing rehabilitation benefits
After debate over ALPR funding, a supervisor proposed an alternate amendment to keep funds in the sheriff's budget but transfer the ALPR line to pay for free jail communications; sponsor argued communications strengthen family ties and improve mental health, while others raised sequencing and contract-review concerns.
citizenportal.ai
October 25, 2026 at 7:11 PM
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Journey Mental Health Center's CEO reveals a critical revenue shortfall that could jeopardize essential services in Dane County—what does this mean for the community's mental health support?

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #HealthcareFunding #DaneCountyMentalHealth
Journey CEO tells Dane County the problem is revenue, not expenses; asks for GPR and DHS direction
Journey CEO Sarah Valencia told the board the contracts assume Medicaid revenue Journey cannot reliably earn and requested GPR to fill the gap plus county direction to DHS to design a lower-risk reimbursement model.
citizenportal.ai
October 24, 2026 at 7:53 AM
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The committee is taking a bold step forward by amending the capital budget resolution to enhance body-worn camera policies and engage the community like never before!

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #BodyWornCameras #PublicEngagement #PolicyClarification
Committee amends capital-resolution language to suggest policy clarifications for body-worn cameras and plans broad public engagement
The committee approved language amendments to the capital budget resolution urging specific policy suggestions and public engagement on body-worn cameras; the sheriff's office committed to extensive town-and-village meetings and the committee emphasized the language is advisory, not mandatory.
citizenportal.ai
October 25, 2026 at 7:05 PM
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Dane County's Health and Human Needs Committee just made crucial decisions to enhance housing support and mental health services, including unanimous approvals for new funding initiatives!

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#DaneCounty #WI #DaneCountyHousing #AffordableHousing #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport
Votes and actions at a glance: operating and capital amendments the committee approved
The Health and Human Needs Committee approved a package of operating and capital amendments to forward to Finance, including restored housing navigation, amended capital housing borrowing authority, HUD allocations and targeted contract adjustments; several items were amended before unanimous committee approval.
citizenportal.ai
October 24, 2026 at 4:36 AM
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Dane County's Public Protection & Judiciary Committee has made a bold move by freezing two high-paid deputy positions to redirect funds toward urgent housing and homeless services, igniting a heated debate on safety and staffing priorities.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal
Committee freezes two vacant deputy positions to redirect funds toward housing programs
The committee amended a 2027 operating-budget item to freeze two of the highest-paid vacant deputy positions in the sheriff's office and direct those savings to restore housing and homeless services funding; the amendment passed in committee after debate over staffing and equity for the sheriff's office.
citizenportal.ai
October 24, 2026 at 7:54 AM
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Dane County's budget committee is shaking things up by freezing high-paid sheriff positions to boost housing services while fiercely debating surveillance funding proposals!

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CivicAccountability #HousingServices
Votes and actions at a glance: committee amends budget items, debates surveillance funding, advances capital-policy language
At its meeting the committee amended an operating-budget item to freeze two vacant deputy positions (redirect funds to housing), rejected a motion to remove ALPR funding, debated alternate amendments to repurpose ALPR funds for jail communications, and approved advisory language on body-worn camera policy with a plan for public engagement.
citizenportal.ai
October 23, 2026 at 10:15 PM
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In a heated debate, a supervisor argued that $80,000 earmarked for surveillance cameras could instead provide warmth for those in need this winter, highlighting the tension between privacy concerns and law enforcement needs.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #PrivacyRights
Committee rejects cutting ALPR money; debate centers on privacy and sequencing of contract review
Supervisors debated removing $80,000 in funding for automated license-plate readers (ALPRs). Privacy concerns and recent litigation filings were raised; the sheriff's office and counsel said existing case law supports photographing license plates in public and warned a filing is not a ruling. The committee voted against the proposed cut.
citizenportal.ai
October 23, 2026 at 9:58 PM
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In a bold move, the committee has redirected $70,000 from a vacant finance manager position to alleviate Journey Mental Health Center's financial crisis, but what does this mean for the future of mental health support in our community?

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal
Committee reduces funding for finance manager by $70K to help shore Journey Mental Health Center shortfall
The committee amended HHN‑03 to reduce funding for an unfunded finance manager position by $70,000 to help address a projected shortfall at Journey Mental Health Center; staff said the finance manager position had been vacant due to recruitment failures and a hiring freeze.
citizenportal.ai
October 24, 2026 at 7:43 PM
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Journey Mental Health faces critical funding shortfalls that threaten essential crisis services, leaving the community's wellbeing hanging in the balance.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #CommunityFundingIssues #CrisisResponseServices #MentalHealthSupport
Nonprofit workers and leaders tell Dane County board to fix Journey Mental Health funding shortfall
A dozen public speakers, including Journey Mental Health employees and leaders, urged the Dane County Board to change contract reimbursement and add county funding after providers said Medicaid revenue assumptions leave services at risk.
citizenportal.ai
October 23, 2026 at 10:09 PM
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Sun Prairie is on a mission to expand Patrick Marsh by 107.6 acres, aiming to enhance wetland restoration and recreation opportunities with a $2.1 million grant request!

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #WetlandRestoration #CommunityPartnerships #PublicAccess
Sun Prairie seeks county support to add 107.6 acres to Patrick Marsh; requests $2.1 million grant
Sun Prairie requested approximately $2.1 million from the Dane County Conservation Fund to purchase 107.6 acres adjacent to Patrick Marsh, citing restoration and recreation goals and potential DNR mitigation-banking funding for wetland restoration.
citizenportal.ai
October 20, 2026 at 1:50 AM
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Madison is taking a giant leap towards preserving nature by seeking over $1.3 million to transform the newly acquired 200-acre Madison Crushing parcel into a haven for outdoor enthusiasts!

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #PublicAccess #ConservationGrant #RecreationalDevelopment
Madison seeks $1.34 million from Dane County to offset purchase of former Madison Crushing parcel
City of Madison staff presented plans for a newly acquired 200-acre parcel (the 'Madison Crushing' property) within the Koshkonong Creek natural resource area and requested $1,339,025 from the Dane County Conservation Fund to offset acquisition and assessment costs.
citizenportal.ai
October 20, 2026 at 1:48 AM
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Dane County is stepping up with a bold $20 million housing development fund and a proposed contribution to a Salvation Army shelter, but the details are still unfolding!

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#DaneCounty #WI #DaneCountyHousing #AffordableHousing #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #NonprofitSupport
County discusses $20 million housing development fund and possible Salvation Army family shelter contribution
Director Schluter said the executive budget includes a $20 million housing development fund and references a proposed capital contribution toward a Salvation Army women-and-family shelter; county staff said the project remains in process and site and approvals are not finalized.
citizenportal.ai
October 17, 2026 at 4:17 PM
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Journey Mental Health Center faces a staggering $1.8 million revenue shortfall and urgently seeks $400,000 to keep vital crisis services running.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #HealthcareFunding #DaneCountyMentalHealth #CommunityResilience #CrisisSupport
Journey Mental Health asks county to backfill Medicaid shortfall to preserve crisis and CSP services
Journey Mental Health Center told the committee projected Medicaid revenue had not materialized and requested about $400,000 in county GPR to sustain crisis lines and community support program staffing.
citizenportal.ai
October 17, 2026 at 4:25 PM
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Eliminating the CPS manager could unravel crucial coordination in child protective services, risking the safety of vulnerable youth in our community.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #DaneCountyChildWelfare #CommunityCoordination #EmergencyServices #ChildProtection
Child-welfare managers tell committee eliminating CPS manager would risk intake continuity and law-enforcement coordination
CYF leaders urged the committee not to eliminate a CPS manager position, arguing that the role coordinates intake, emergency protective services and interagency responses; they called the elimination a "wicked decision" with broad downstream effects.
citizenportal.ai
October 17, 2026 at 4:19 PM
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Urban Triage's CEO warns that proposed cuts to their funding could leave countless unhoused individuals without critical support services that literally save lives.

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#DaneCounty #WI #DaneCountyHousing #CitizenPortal #CommunityResources #HousingNavigation #NonprofitSupport
Urban Triage, clients and staff warn proposed cuts would cripple housing navigation
Urban Triage staff, board members and dozens of clients told the committee county contracting cuts would remove staffing, federal matchability and critical housing navigation that helps dozens of unhoused people each month; the organization said the county contract (~$321,000) enables matching HUD funds.
citizenportal.ai
October 17, 2026 at 5:25 PM
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Dane County leaders are facing intense pressure to restore critical funding for nonprofit services and housing support as public testimonies reveal the dire impact of proposed budget cuts.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthSupport #NonprofitFunding #HousingNavigation
Dane County committee hears broad push to restore nonprofit and housing funding in 2027 budget
The Health & Human Needs Committee reviewed the county executive budget and took two weeksto discuss dozens of public commenters who urged restoring funding for housing navigation, mental-health crisis services and other nonprofit programs threatened by proposed cuts.
citizenportal.ai
October 17, 2026 at 4:07 PM
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Dane County supervisors are caught in a heated debate over whether to fund automated license‑plate readers, weighing public safety against privacy concerns and urgent shelter needs.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #PrivacyRights #PublicSafety #CivicAccountability
Committee weighs removing $80,000 for license‑plate reader program amid privacy concerns and shelter needs
Speakers clashed over an $80,000 line item for automated license‑plate readers that the board restored after cancelling a prior vendor. Supporters, including the sheriff, said ALPRs are critical in rural response; privacy advocates urged reallocating the money to shelter operations. Committee postponed the vote to the next meeting.
citizenportal.ai
October 16, 2026 at 1:54 AM
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Dane County is at a crossroads as a heated debate unfolds over eliminating sheriff deputy positions to funnel funds into critical homeless services.

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#DaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #DaneCountyHomelessness #CivicAccountability #HousingServices
Committee hears hours of testimony over plan to eliminate three vacant sheriff deputy positions to fund housing services
The Dane County Public Protection & Judiciary Committee debated an amendment to eliminate three vacant sheriff deputy positions and redirect roughly $493,000 to housing and homelessness services; after extensive public comment and Q&A with the sheriff, the committee deferred a vote to its next meeting.
citizenportal.ai
October 15, 2026 at 4:02 AM