richelle andrae
Thank you for the opportunity to serve District 11, which includes most of Hill Farms, Shorewood Village, and the neighborhoods immediately east of Midvale Blvd. I’ve lived in Madison since 2013, and reside near West High School. I’ve experienced our community through the eyes of a student, a young professional working in non-profit, an academic, and a volunteer. During the day, I am an advocate for safety net clinics in Wisconsin, working with state policymakers and partners to ensure that all residents have access to quality health care, regardless of income or insurance status. I’ve previously worked on local public health evaluation projects, rural workforce development, and Medicaid policy. After serving an AmeriCorps service term in California, I returned to Wisconsin and worked directly with underserved teens in Madison high schools, helping them find and keep their first jobs.
On the County Board, I chaired the Public Protection & Judiciary Committee from 2022 to 2026, which has oversight for the Dane County Sheriff's Office, District Attorney's Office, Emergency Management, 911 Call Center, Courts, Pre-Trial Services, Medical Examiner, and more. I now serve as Vice-Chair of the Personnel & Finance Committee which has primarily jurisdiction over important budget decisions.
A few of my "success stories" on the Board include navigating the complex jail consolidation project, improving constituent outreach by encouraging implementation of a successful blog system for Supervisors, and budget amendments to improve the pay structure for staff attorneys to support the timely service of justice, expunge Birth Recovery Costs (learn more about this policy issue here), and fund a local Food System Action Plan.
When I’m not at work or engaged in Board activities, you can find me on a walk enjoying the oaks in the Speedway cemetery with my rescue pup, Roux, or paddling my kayak on the Yahara. I studied Spanish at UW-Madison during my undergrad, and earned a Masters in Public Affairs from the La Follette School, focusing on health policy and administration. Please reach out at any time and I look forward to working with you.　
Neighbors,
In May, I was appointed to the Lakes & Watershed Commission and had my first meeting this week! We voted to approve changes to icebound lakes in Dane County and learned about the harmful impacts of neonicotinoid insecticides (“neonics”), and more! Expect to see more environmental information moving forward as I learn more about the county’s incredible programs and all the work yet to be done. I’m excited to serve on this body since district 11 includes Shorewood and its lakefront property and I know this is a topic where so many neighbors are both informed and very passionate. Learn more about the proposed changes to icebound waters here and neonics here. Unfortunately, neonics have been detected in many Wisconsin communities and Dane County is no different. What I found most interesting about our discussion was that this pesticide isn’t even very effective, and that seed producers/sellers (whose businesses are often vertically integrated with pesticide manufacturers) often include neonics on seeds and farmers don’t even know it, or don’t have an “opt-out” option. Note that state legislation has been introduced about this topic, too, with a focus on pollinators that are especially impacted by this pesticide. In good news, in 2026 Dane County included a new requirement for any county-owned land that prohibits use of neonics, which is a small but significant step. I’m appreciative of all the local organizations, government leaders, scientists, academics, and families that are making our community healthier every day.
Don’t miss the Dane County Fair, July 16 – 19 at the Alliant Energy Center! https://www.danecountyfair.com/ As we think about the future of the AEC, redevelopment, optimizing community value, and what comes next, I want to celebrate events like this that make Dane County so special.
Today I’m sharing updates on:
County Budget Update & Presentation
Last week, the County Board received an updated 2027 budget presentation from the County Controller. View the full presentation https://dane.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15650838&GUID=79340E1B-90DB-4968-8CB5-1CC97A1A95E0. I’d like to flag slide 30 which highlights that even with modest increases year-over-year in sales tax and increase in our levy limit (which is set by the state), the increase in health insurance costs for employees exceeds those increases, which is one of the factors contributing to the 2027 projected operating deficit of $15 million.
The presentation includes budget reduction targets for every department, which are based on a few different factors but take into account the net change in staffing since 2020 as a major component. In some ways, that is an approach to “right-sizing” for adding new positions in the last several years; departments that added fewer staff are charged with smaller budget reductions than those that added many FTE. I certainly acknowledge that those staff are, and have been, doing necessary work and that reductions will have an impact on programs and services. I am focused on approaching this budget intentionally and am prepared to make hard decisions about tradeoffs to fix an ongoing structural deficit; this is not a one-time issue.
I do hear from some constituents that the county should consider going to the voters to ask for new operational funds but I’m also cognizant that our community is stretched quite thin with a significant tax burden, and that affordability is already challenging for so many. I am hopeful that changes in the state legislature may produce new options, but I believe that is realistically years away. And finally, I always like to remind folks that the county’s capital and operating budgets are subject to different limitations; we can spend money much more flexibly on land purchases (like the recent investment on the Yahara) that we cannot otherwise spend on operating costs, where a state restriction is imposed.
PS… speaking of capital projects, check out the continuing excitement and coverage of the County’s recent land purchase with Groundswell Conservancy and the Ho-Chunk Nation (thanks for collecting this amazing coverage, Groundswell!):
Spotlight on Community Restorative Court
The county runs an incredible justice alternative program called Restorative Court, which provides a peacemaking process where both the victim and respondent (you may think of this person as the perpetrator of the offense) are centered, and a circle surrounds the whole process to try and find a path for justice. This program is only available in certain circumstances/certain offenses, and also relies on community volunteers. It’s primarily intended for young people ages 17-25 who have committed a misdemeanor crime or municipal citation, issues like battery, theft, or property damage. There is a very strong evidence base that programs like the CRC produce positive outcomes and actually reduce recidivism. A Repair Harm agreement is an essential component, as so often the impacts of crimes and any resolution are very disconnected in the traditional justice process. Here are a few stories from the recent CRC newsletter:
Recently, Community Restorative Court worked with a respondent involved in a case where a community member was subjected to both a racial insult and an object thrown from a moving vehicle. As part of the restorative process, the victim requested a handwritten apology letter to acknowledge the harm and its impact.
The respondent took responsibility for their actions and completed a thoughtful and sincere written apology. With the victim’s consent, the letter is shared below as an example of the meaningful accountability and personal reflection that restorative practices can foster. All identifying details have been removed to protect the privacy of those involved.
A Reflection from Ryan Podolak, Peacemaker
"I was very excited when I first learned about Dane County Community Restorative Court and the opportunity to become a Peacemaker. There is often a lot of talk about restorative justice and support of it as an idea, but the Dane County CRC staff and Peacemakers are a group of folks actually putting restorative justice into action. Working with a number of staff over the years, it’s remarkable how much time and care they show for each participant – supporting them throughout the process and even into the future. I am humbled to be some part of their amazing work for our community." -Ryan Podolak
Learn more: https://www.dcdhs.com/Children-Youth-and-Family/Community-Restorative-Court
And finally… As we each recognize Independence Day in our own way this weekend, I will leave you with an excerpt from On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder. My Board colleague Sarah Smith shared this passage as part of her inspirational message last week and I hope you also find comfort noticing the value of small gestures (this is chapter 12):
Make eye contact and small talk. This is not just polite. It is part of being a citizen and a responsible member of society. It is also a way to stay in touch with your surroundings, break down social barriers, and understand whom you should and should not trust. If we enter a culture of denunciation, you will want to know the psychological landscape of your daily life.
Tyrannical regimes arose at different times and places in the Europe of the twentieth century, but memoirs of their victims all share a single tender moment. Whether the recollection is of fascist Italy in the 1920s, of Nazi Germany of the 1930s, of the Soviet Union during the Great Terror of 1937–38, or of the purges in communist eastern Europe in the 1940s and ’50s, people who were living in fear of repression remembered how their neighbors treated them. A smile, a handshake, or a word of greeting—banal gestures in a normal situation—took on great significance. When friends, colleagues, and acquaintances looked away or crossed the street to avoid contact, fear grew. You might not be sure, today or tomorrow, who feels threatened in the United States. But if you affirm everyone, you can be sure that certain people will feel better. In the most dangerous of times, those who escape and survive generally know people whom they can trust. Having old friends is the politics of last resort. And making new ones is the first step toward change.
Are celebrating with fireworks and brats, and a bit of reflection about both our nation’s strengths and pain? Me too – keep these tips about pets and fireworks from the Dane County Humane Society in mind.
In service,
Richelle Andrae
Dane County Board Supervisor District 11
