sarah smith
After growing up in rural western Wisconsin, Sarah moved to Dane County to attend UW-Madison and fell in love with the community. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in History and went on to graduate with a Master’s in Educational Policy from UW-Madison as well. She has been active in volunteer organizations during her time in Dane County, including running a group of volunteers for the Quality Assurance division while she worked at Epic. Sarah has also organized with the Women’s March and served as State Chair for the Young Democrats of Wisconsin. She currently volunteers as a member of the City of Monona Sustainability Committee.
Sarah has previously served as Chief of Staff to State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski and as Communication Director for former state Senator Patty Schachtner. She is now the Director of Public Affairs at the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. Sarah has represented District 24 on the Dane County Board of Supervisors since April 2020.
In these monthly newsletters, I will share updates from the County Board and other information about the important issues facing our community!
On Tuesday, I was sworn in with my 36 County Board colleagues to begin the 2022-24 Dane County Board term. Many new Supervisors joined us including:
We also elected new leadership including the first person of color to lead the Dane County Board, Supervisor Patrick Miles. Our first regular meeting will be held on May 5.
Reducing Waste
Dane County has launched a new grant opportunity for community composting projects to reduce the organic material being sent to our landfill. Our Department of Waste & Renewables estimates that 30% of the waste currently being landfilled could be composted.
The Organics Management Grant is intended to help fund projects that reduce or eliminate the amount of organic materials, such as food scraps and yard waste, from the landfill. Projects that support food waste reduction or creative reuse will also be considered under this grant.
Examples of projects that would be eligible for funds include, but are not limited to:
Each applicant may receive up to $2,500 during this round of funding. More funding may be delegated on a case by case basis. Applicants may qualify for reimbursement of up to 75% of the cost of approved project expenses. These applicants may receive credit for in-kind donations of goods, services, or labor to cover the remaining 25% of project expenses. Learn more about this grant opportunity here.
Expanding Renewable Energy Use
Dane County acquired our 100th vehicle that runs on renewable fuel! Dane County currently owns 100 renewable natural gas (RNG) and RNG/gas hybrid vehicles, 3 electric vehicles, and 13 hybrid electric vehicles. The County saved $139,288 in 2021 by using compressed natural gas (CNG) and RNG, instead of diesel in its vehicles. If diesel prices remain in the $4.50 range, Dane County will save more than $350,000 this year.
Dane County’s RNG facility at the landfill is on track for a record year of clean burning fuel production and revenue generation. The facility that converts methane gas from the landfill into renewable compressed natural gas for vehicle fuel is projected to displace 3,250,000 gallons of gasoline this year, reducing emissions equivalent to traveling 72 million miles less on the road. The impact on carbon emission reductions is the same as planting 475,000 trees.
Building a Sustainable Future
Dane County's half a million residents generate 450,000 tons of waste each year. With less than 10 years of landfill space remaining at Dane County's Rodefeld Landfill, our community has an opportunity to change the waste stream and build a more sustainable future. Our Department of Waste and Renewables has developed an innovative idea-
"Our vision for the next site includes development of a sustainable business park or “Sustainability Campus” to divert waste and create local circular economies. This will be accomplished by attracting reuse, repair, and recycling businesses; new waste management technologies; and research. The intent is to design the site for safe public access, education, and recreation where visitors can examine their relationship with waste and the Dane County community can move towards a future where waste is not a liability, but a resource and an opportunity."
The County is currently considering a portion of the Yahara Hills property in the City of Madison as a potential site for the future landfill. As neighbors in the area may be affected by the landfill, the Department of Waste and Renewables has made public engagement a priority throughout this process.
I joined newly-elected Chair Miles and Supervisor Jacob Wright along with Madison Alder Jael Currie at a recent listening session to hear the concerns and feedback from our constituents.
Learn more about this project here.
Defending Health Care Access
Senator Melissa Agard and I teamed up to publish an opinion piece calling on employers to step up for abortion access.
In the post Roe v. Wade world that may become our reality as early as June, Wisconsinites needing an abortion will be forced to travel to Illinois, Minnesota or Michigan to receive care. In 2018, there were 6,042 abortions performed in Wisconsin. As we’ve learned from the Texas ban, these thousands of Wisconsin patients may need flexibility to take time off work, child care assistance, and financial support.
To that end, we urge Wisconsin employers to make preparations to support their employees seeking abortions. Ensure that employees are supported in their choice to get an abortion by providing information and resources free of judgment. Evaluate your employee benefit plans to make sure travel and lodging expenses for health care procedures like abortion are covered. Consider your time-off policies to ensure there is sufficient flexibility that will accommodate an employees’ out-of-state travel and recovery time. Make information available about abortion funds for employees without sufficient health insurance coverage to cover an abortion.
