Mayor Soglin on 2012 Madison Budget: "Every service we rely on is vulnerable"

Agencies’ response to Soglin’s budget request would cut deeply. (Wisconsin State Journal, 8/23/2011)

Excerpt: "Every service we rely on is vulnerable," the mayor said. "My goal is to come up with the best solution possible based on the values and priorities of the people of Madison. It is going to be painful. It is going to hurt. It is going to result in cuts in service, which are going to have negative long-term consequences for our city."

Specific cuts, however, are far from clear. Soglin will propose an operating budget to the City Council on Oct. 4. The council will decide the operating and capital budgets the week of Nov. 15.

Agency responses to the mayor's request for 5 percent cuts would reduce police service and eliminate the school crossing guard program, mothball a fire engine and ambulance, put one-third less salt on snow-covered streets, cut lifeguards at six neighborhood beaches and close three skating rinks, reduce bus service and more for a total savings of $11.9 million, city Finance Director David Schmiedicke said.

Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
With a ballooning budget deficit, Marathon County considers a tax increase.  (8/23/2011)
Sheboygan's Strategic Fiscal Planning Committee to determine what city will look like.  (8/19/2011)
Brown County Exec looks at same tax levy, impact on services to be determined.  (8/18/2011)
City of Shawano wrestles with $128,000 deficit.  (8/16/2011)
Possible double whammy for Shawano City-County Library.  (8/15/2011)
Portage County Executive looks to "create a bridge to a new design, a way of functioning on less".. (8/15/2011)
Antigo cuts fire, police positions.  (8/15/2011)
Adding up the budget numbers in the Fox Valley.  (8/14/2011)
Sauk County officials ask for input.  (8/12/2011
Marathon County ranks services to address $500,000 budget shortfall.  (8/12/2011)
City of Beloit faces a challenging budget process.  (8/8/2011)
Fond du Lac city manager sez Governor's tools not enough to offset cuts.  (8/2/2011)
Manitowoc mayor asks department heads for 10% budget cuts.  (8/2/2011)