The Dane County Board of Supervisors on Monday approved an operating budget for 2016 that calls for just over $567 million in spending, and a capital budget of approximately $40.5 million. The budget reflects the County Board’s priorities in the areas of equity, environmental protection, and support for county government employees.
“This budget is about improving the quality of life for all Dane County residents,” said County Board Chair Sharon Corrigan. “The Board has made equity a priority, both by providing additional resources for the Office for Equity and Inclusion and by supporting criminal justice initiatives which address racial disparities. We have also worked during this budget season to include efforts to protect the lakes, such as the restoration of the Cherokee Marsh, and promote urban infill development. And, for the first time in many years, the recovering economy has allowed us to provide a raise to the county employees who work hard on behalf of Dane County residents,” she added.
County workers will receive a pay raise of 87 cents per hour in 2016 — the most significant increase in compensation, and the first increase in direct wages, in nine years.
“By listening to our constituents over the last six weeks, I believe the County Board has taken the County Executive’s strong proposed budget and made it even better,” said Corrigan.
The budget will mean an increase of $34.37 to the average household’s property tax bill. It now awaits County Executive Parisi’s signature.
