Column By: Dane County Executive Joe Parisi

A year ago as State Representative, I watched as working families from all corners of Wisconsin came to Madison to tell the Governor and legislature they wouldn't sit idly as decades' old basic rights were taken away.

Now as County Executive, I strive to lead in a way that shows through mutual respect and working with people instead of against them, that everyone can help solve problems.

That's how we managed through a daunting county budget last fall. Thanks to innovation, creative problem solving, and partnering with county employees on efficiencies, the 2012 county budget spends $4.4 million more on human services ($248 million total) while preserving public safety and other programs important to our quality of life.

This New Year certainly brings new challenges, but also many opportunities.

In addition to protecting human services, as a candidate for County Executive I also talked about the need to strengthen the county's ability to enhance economic development. My new Dane County Office of Jobs and Prosperity starts work this spring.

Soon I will unveil a new "Cow Power" facility to create local "green energy" and reduce pollution that runs into our lakes. New partnerships I’ve formed with the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District and the Clean Lakes Alliance serve as the foundation for the next steps in our important work to clean up our waters.

Thanks to my new partnership with Operation Fresh Start, more kids from challenged neighborhoods will spend this year learning life and job skills.

Construction starts soon on new systems to help our police and fire responders get to emergencies quicker, and communicate better through development of a new countywide radio network.

A recently completed assessment of our criminal justice system offers a menu of possible reforms to ensure our public safety tax dollars are spent effectively.

We have much to do! Together, we’ll manage our challenges and maximize our opportunities in 2012.

Each year during the budget process, we ask Madison residents for their thoughts as to how the city should spend its money. This year, as you think about the upcoming city budget, please go deeper than individual lines items – consider what values are important for our city and how these values should be expressed in the services that the city provides for individuals, neighborhoods and the city as a whole.

In these challenging times, citizen involvement is more important than ever. That is why we are structuring our operating budget process differently this year. We are involving you, the citizen, earlier in the process and we want your ideas. There are two ways for you to participate, both in person and online. I hope you have seen some of the many announcements regarding our Community Budget Conversations. There will be five separate Community Budget Conversations in five areas of the city focusing on various aspects of city services. Elected officials and city staff will attend, as you discuss with your neighbors your values and priorities for city services, keeping in mind how this budget will affect you, your neighborhood, and your city.

If you can’t attend one of the community meetings, I invite you to participate in the budget survey on the website (www.cityofmadison.com/budgetprocess). The ranking of city services in the meetings and on the web will help guide the development of the City budget. Now more than ever it is important to hear from community members about budget priorities. We also hope that participating in this process will help you understand more about where the city’s money comes from, how it has been spent in 2011, and the wide range of services our city employees provide. I urge you to participate, join in the discussions and complete the budget survey. Your involvement is vital as we move forward together.

Mayor Paul R. Soglin

Important links:

• Community Budget Conversations: Meeting topic, location and dates: http://www.cityofmadison.com/budgetProcess/documents/SaveTheDate.pdf
• Website: www.cityofmadison.com/budgetprocess

Get involved
	Educate yourself on the budget
	Attend Community Budget Conversations - share your ideas
	Participate in the Budget Survey