Finance committee rejects extension of Madison Street Medicine contract for Dairy Drive

The City of Madison Finance Committee voted down a proposed extension of the contract between the city and Madison Street Medicine (doing business as Madison Street Medicine) that would have continued services at the Dairy Drive campground through April 2026 and authorized up to $100,000 of Dane County funds to help operate the site. The motion failed on a roll-call vote after extensive public testimony and questions from council members and city staff.

The proposal before the committee (Legistar 89779) would have extended a contract that funds outreach, on-site case management and other services at the Dairy Drive campground. Supporters, including Madison Street Medicine representatives and residents who use the campground, urged continuation of the program and described progress getting people into housing. Brenda Conkle, representing Madison Street Medicine, told the committee the organization had flexibility in how it would use remaining funds and said, “we are willing to be flexible depending upon need.”

Case manager Savannah Harpel gave granular, client-level status on voucher placements, saying the program had 10 Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers and five rapid rehousing slots associated with the site. Harpel reported that “two of our folks have moved out, using those vouchers,” and summarized others as pending inspections,…