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Dane County Board of Supervisors

2026 Budget Adopted

The 2026 Dane County Budget has been adopted. For details on the 2026 adopted budget and previous county budgets, visit: https://admin.danecounty.gov/budget

This page will be updated with the 2027 budget review schedule and key dates as they are finalized.

County Budget Process

Overview

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.

 

Ways to Participate

1. Attend a committee meeting. 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's budget hearings. 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

Budget Cards

County Budget Process Handout

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2027 Budget Review Schedule

This section will be updated with additional information and key dates as they are finalized.

Department Budget Request Hearings

County Executive Budget Proposal Release: TBD

Once released, the Executive Budget Proposal will be posted on the Department of Administration's website.
Date Time Department/Office Location
September 9, 2026 5:30 p.m.

Schedule TBD

 City-County Bldg.*
September 15, 2026 5:30 p.m. Schedule TBD City-County Bldg.*
September 16, 2026 5:30 p.m. Schedule TBD Alliant Energy Center*

Standing Committee Meetings

***PP&J: Public Protection and Judiciary Committee; PWT: Public Works & Transportation Committee; ZLR: Zoning & Land Regulation Committee; P&F: Personnel & Finance Committee; HHN: Health & Human Needs Committee; Exec.: Executive Committee; EANR: Environment, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Committee
Date Committee*** (Meeting Time) Location
TBD TBD TBD

County Board Budget Hearings & Deliberations

*Hearings and deliberations will be accessible virtually via Zoom. Follow the registration instructions included in the meeting agenda on the Legislative Information Center.
**No public testimony is taken during deliberations.

Visit the Legislative Information Center for the most up-to-date meeting information.

 

 
Date Time Event Location
October 19, 2026 7:00 p.m. Hearing on Executive Budget Proposal City-County Bldg.*
November 2, 2026 6:00 p.m. Hearing on P&F recommendations City-County Bldg.*
November 4, 2026 6:00 p.m. Budget Deliberations** City-County Bldg.*
November 5, 2026 TBD Budget Deliberations (if necessary)** City-County Bldg.*