Dane County Executive Melissa Agard Delivers First-Ever State of the County Address
May 21, 2026
execmedia@danecounty.gov, 608-800-1127
County Executive
MADISON – Dane County Executive Melissa Agard today delivered the first-ever State of the County Address in Dane County history, outlining the administration’s accomplishments over the past year and sharing a strategic vision for the future focused on environmental leadership, justice reform, economic development, and community services.
Speaking at the Alliant Energy Center, Agard reflected on taking office amid a $31 million structural deficit and highlighted the work done alongside county staff, employee groups, department leaders, and the Dane County Board to stabilize county finances while protecting critical services. Agard noted that Dane County cut the structural deficit in half within one year without a single layoff.
“Folks, this is the hard work of government,” Agard said during the address. “It is collaboration. It is difficult conversations. It is finding solutions together.”
The County Executive also emphasized the unique character of Dane County and the importance of collaboration across communities.
“We are 60 municipalities: cities, villages, and towns working together across more than twelve hundred square miles,” Agard said. “We are urban neighborhoods and rural landscapes. We are one of the strongest agricultural regions in Wisconsin and a growing hub for technology, research, and innovation.”
The address highlighted major accomplishments and initiatives across county government, including:
- The historic purchase of land in the Town of Dunn and planned transfer of the property to the Ho-Chunk Nation, marking the largest land gift in Dane County history.
- A commitment to make Henry Vilas Zoo fossil fuel free by 2040 and achieving 100 percent renewable energy offsets across county government operations.
- Launching the Assessment, Treatment, Transition and Aftercare (ATTA) Program through Dane County Juvenile Court.
- Reconvening the Dane County Community Justice Council and launching a new Community Court focused on reducing recidivism through service-based interventions.
- Continued support for the Prejudice in Places initiative allowing residents to formally renounce discriminatory racial covenants attached to property records.
- Moving forward with a public-private partnership to renovate the Veterans Memorial Coliseum and revitalize the Alliant Energy Center campus.
- Pursuing international designation for Dane County Regional Airport through the initiation of paperwork with Customs and Border Protection.
- Expanding affordable housing investments, including support for 494 new affordable housing units in the last year.
- Continued investment in behavioral health services, including the Behavioral Health Resource Center and a new Opioid Coordinator position.
Agard also announced the administration’s new strategic plan, organized around four key pillars: Community Services Delivery, Economic Development, Justice System Improvement, and Environmental Leadership.
The County Executive said the strategic plan will include implementation teams, measurable goals, and performance metrics to improve coordination across departments and ensure accountability to residents.
“Too often in government, good work can happen in separate lanes,” Agard said. “This strategic plan is about bringing people together around shared goals, shared accountability, and measurable results.”
Throughout the speech, Agard thanked county employees and community partners for their work serving residents across Dane County.
“None of this work happens without the people who show up every single day to serve this community,” Agard said.
The full State of the County address and strategic plan materials will be made available on the Dane County website.