Members of Public Provide Input on 2023 Dane County Budget

October 21, 2022
County Board Chair Patrick Miles, (608) 886-9167
County Board

The Dane County Board of Supervisors held a hearing on the 2023 budget on Wednesday evening. Approximately 25 members of the public provided input both in person and virtually – the first hybrid budget hearing the Board has ever held.

 

Members of the public spoke on several budget priorities including but not limited to healthcare worker supports, funding for the Double Dollars program, emergency harm reduction funds, and funds to operate the family shelter run by the Salvation Army.

 

The 2023 proposed budget includes $500,000 to work on improving nurse retention, recruitment and the mental health and well-being of nurse caregivers. Many of the public speakers noted the negative impacts that staffing shortages are having on morale and mental health for healthcare workers.

 

The proposed budget also includes $283,500 to expand the efforts of the Dane County Emergency Harm Reduction and Prevention Act, which is an approximately $700,000 investment in education, treatment, and prevention related to opiates and fentanyl.

 

"As we continue our work on the 2023 budget, input from members of the public is important. I’m pleased we heard from many people at the budget hearing, and encourage residents to contact their County Board Supervisors with additional comments and questions," said County Board Chair Patrick Miles.

 

The Personnel and Finance committee will begin action on budget amendments over　the next two weeks. The Board will take public comment on the budget as recommended by the Personnel and Finance committee on November　3rd and then begin budget deliberations on November 7 at 7:00pm.