County Executive Melissa Agard Signs 2026 Dane County Budget
November 12, 2025
Exec Media, 608-800-1127
County Executive
Notes Concerns Over Fiscal Sustainability and Long-Term Stability
DANE COUNTY - Dane County Executive Melissa Agard announced today that she signed the 2026 County Budget. She noted she remains concerns over several fiscal decisions made by the County Board that could compromise the county’s long-term financial stability. While she did sign the County Board changes, Agard highlighted the need for Board to have greater fiscal discipline in the years ahead. The County Executive’s full budget message is attached.
NOTE: The County Executive is available for one-on-one interviews on Thursday, November 13th between 1:00PM and 4:00PM. Email execmedia@danecounty.gov to set up a time.
“I am grateful for the hard work of county staff and supervisors throughout this process, but we must be honest with ourselves about the fiscal realities we face. Dane County cannot afford to ignore the structural deficit,” said Agard.
“I take my responsibility seriously to deliver excellent services that preserve and protect our residents’ health and well-being, safety, and quality of life with a pragmatic fiscal lens,” said Agard. “That is what was elected to do. My job now is to administer the approved budget without gambling with county finances, which could lead to even more painful cuts down the road. I will do everything I can as we work through 2026 to manage the financial risks to the county while preserving services.”
The 2026 budget totals more than $916 million, including $825.6 million in operating funds and $90.5 million in capital investments. It sets a property tax rate of $2.48 per $1,000 of equalized value, representing a 1.29% levy increase - about $15 more per year for the average City of Madison home valued at $481,300.
“I said months ago that if we didn’t make tough but responsible choices now, the price would be higher later,” Agard said. “Some of the changes made by the Board undermine the financial guardrails we need in place to protect services and taxpayers in 2027 and beyond. This is not sustainable.”
“My signature on this budget reflects my belief in our staff and partners to get the work done in spite of the financial challenges we face,” she said. “Now that this budget is complete, it’s time to rise above the rhetoric, roll up our sleeves, and get the work done.”
“I remain committed to working with anyone who shares our values of sustainability, responsibility, and compassion,” she said. “We can’t build a stronger future for Dane County by passing short-term fixes that create long-term problems.”