Finance committee backs release of 2026 crisis intervention RFP after requesting stronger data and outcome language

The Madison Common Council Finance Committee recommended releasing the 2026 crisis intervention and prevention services request for proposals on July 28, 2025, while asking city staff to strengthen sections of the RFP on data collection and outcome measurement before the document is finalized. Alder Madison, who raised concerns and initially moved to re-refer the item to committee, said she wanted clearer program accountability and more specific language about how reductions in youth violence would be measured.

The committee voted unanimously to recommend approval of the RFP to the Common Council, with the proviso that staff work with council members to amend language relating to participant data and intended outcomes. The motion recorded that staff should label any edited draft versions in Legistar so changes are visible.

Committee discussion focused on whether the item should be referred to an established committee for further review. Alder Madison proposed re-referral to the City–County–Schools Collaborative Committee (Aug. 13), finance committee (Aug. 25) and back to Common Council (Sept. 2) because she believed the RFP lacked structure and accountability. Jim O'Keefe, Community Development Division director, told the committee that staff had already held conversations with county and public health partners and that moving the RFP timeline would likely delay release; staff planned to release the RFP on Aug. 8 unless the committee required additional formal referrals.

Alder Evers and Alder Figueroa Cole said they preferred working directly with staff to tighten language and keep the schedule. After discussion, Alder Madison withdrew the re-referral motion and instead secured committee consent to add to the main motion that staff would “work with all city alders to amend the language in the RFP around data collection and intended outcomes” before the item returns to council. Committee chair recorded the unanimous vote in favor of recommending adoption with that instruction to staff.

The committee asked staff to ensure NPD (Madison Police Department) and other partner agencies have opportunity to review the RFP language and to identify the particular youth populations the program intends to serve. Alder Madison asked for the RFP to include clearer demographic and outcome reporting requirements (for example, anonymous self-report surveys plus police data) and to use precise eligibility phrases such as “proven risk” for target youth. Jim O'Keefe and staff said they would receive specific written edits from alders and update the document accordingly, labeling revised drafts in Legistar.

The committee also clarified that recommending the RFP release did not allocate 2026 budget dollars; the council has not yet approved the 2026 budget. Staff said the RFP timeline and a one-month delay could push back the procurement schedule and agency planning.

What happens next: staff will incorporate alder feedback on data and outcome language, post an updated Legistar version (versioned per city requirements), and proceed toward the planned RFP release date unless the council modifies the schedule. The matter will return to the Common Council for final approval on the council agenda date then scheduled.