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City proposes $1 million supplemental for new men's shelter; would raise city annual support to about $1.7 million
Summary
The administration included a $1 million supplemental in the 2026 executive budget to increase the city's annual operating contribution for the planned men's shelter; the city would provide roughly 40% of an estimated $4.1 million annual operating budget pending county and private partner commitments.
The mayor’s executive budget includes a $1,000,000 supplemental to increase the city’s annual operating support for the purpose‑built men’s shelter scheduled to open next year, officials told the Common Council on Oct. 13.
Jim O’Keefe, presenting for the Community Development Division, said the supplemental would bring the city’s total annual contribution for shelter operations to about $1,700,000 — roughly 40% of a projected $4,100,000 annual operating cost. He said the city awaits Dane County’s decision on its contribution and expects a third funding leg from a local nonprofit (“Shelter Friends”) that will publicly launch and seek private funds on Oct. 23.
“Pending the council’s approval of this request, we await action by Dane County,” O’Keefe said, noting county executive budget proposals were initially lower than previously discussed county commitments. The city’s supplemental is intended to secure operations funding alongside county and private partners.
O’Keefe said the shelter’s opening timeline is on track and that the supplemental is intended to support round‑the‑clock operations once the facility opens. City staff said the private Shelter Friends group will present plans and fundraising targets at a press event later in October; the final operations plan depends on combined city, county and private commitments.
Council members asked whether the city’s supplemental and county contributions would be sufficient to meet the shelter’s operating needs and whether the nonprofit fundraising target could fill remaining gaps. The council did not take final action on the supplemental during the Oct. 13 briefing.
