Dane County has an annual, calendar year budget. In the fall, the county adopts the budget for the next calendar year. The budget is divided between the operating budget and the capital budget. The operating budget funds day-to-day expenses like staff, contractual costs, and ongoing activities in departments. The capital budget funds long-term projects like building and maintaining county roads, parks, and other facilities.
The video below provides an overview of the process, describes the difference between the operating and capital budgets, and outlines the general budget timeline.
1. Attend a committee meeting. Meetings dates and locations are listed below. All committee hearings will be available virtually. For the most up-to-date meeting information and to connect virtually, click here. You can also sign up to receive agendas automatically as they are posted. Instructions for signing up are available in this video here. .
2. Attend one of the County Board Budget Hearings. Meetings dates and locations are listed below. All budget hearings will be available virtually. For the most up-to-date meeting information and to connect virtually, click here.
3. Contact your County Board Supervisor. Not sure who represents you? Use this tool to find your supervisor and get in touch directly.
4. Email all County Board Supervisors. You can send a message to the full County Board by emailing: County_Board_Recipients@danecounty.gov
The review schedule is available below and a PDF copy is also available for download here. For the most up to date information related to meetings, please visit the Legislative Information Center: https://dane.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
During the budget process, each standing committee will include a section on their agendas titled “Budget Discussion and Amendments.” Any proposed amendments can be found within each committee’s individual action item files. The list below includes the numbers associated with each committee:
| Date | Time | Department/Office | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 9, 2025 | 5:30 p.m. |
· Office of Justice Reform · Medical Examiner · District Attorney · Clerk of Courts · Sheriff’s Office · Juvenile Court · Public Safety Communications · Emergency Management · Corporation Counsel · Family Court Services · Pretrial Services · Office for Equity and Inclusion · County Executive’s Office · County Clerk · County Board |
City-County Bldg.* |
| September 10, 2025 | 5:30 p.m. | · Land and Water Resources · Extension · Alliant Energy Center · Highway and Transportation · Waste and Renewables · Airport · Henry Vilas Zoo· Register of Deeds · Planning and Development · Public Health Madison and Dane County · County Treasurer · Library · Department of Administration | City-County Bldg.* |
| September 11, 2025 | 5:30 p.m. | · Veterans Service Office · Human Services | Alliant Energy Center* |
| Date | Committee*** (Meeting Time) | Location |
|---|---|---|
| October 9, 2025 | EANR, PWT, HHN, PP&J (5:30 p.m.) | City-County Bldg.* |
| October 10, 2025 | ZLR (5:30 p.m.) | City-County Bldg.* |
| October 16, 2025 | Exec. (4:30 p.m.), HHN (5:30 p.m.), PP&J (7:00 p.m.) | City-County Bldg.* |
| October 17, 2025 | ZLR (5:30 p.m.) | City-County Bldg.* |
| October 20, 2025 | P&F (5:30 p.m.) | City-County Bldg.* |
| October 21, 2025 | PWT, PP&J (5:30 p.m.) | City-County Bldg.* |
| October 22, 2025 | EANR, HHN (5:30 p.m.) | City-County Bldg.* |
| October 23, 2025 | Exec. (5:30 p.m.) | City-County Bldg.* |
| October 28, 2025 | P&F: Committee recommendations (5:30 p.m.) | City-County Bldg.* |
| October 30, 2025 | P&F: Final recommendations to County Board (5:30 p.m.) | City-County Bldg.* |
| Date | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 20, 2025 | 7:00 p.m. | Hearing on County Executive Budget Proposal | City-County Bldg.* |
| November 3, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | Hearing on P&F recommendations | City-County Bldg.* |
| November 5, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | Budget Deliberations** | City-County Bldg.* |
| November 6, 2025 | 5:00 p.m. | Budget Deliberations (if necessary)** | City-County Bldg.* |
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Committee |
Operating Budget Action Item |
Capital Budget Action Item |
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Environment, Agriculture and Natural Resources |
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Zoning and Land Regulation |
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Public Works and Transportation |
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Executive |
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Public Protection & Judiciary |
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Health and Human Needs |
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Personnel & Finance |
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