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Finance committee hears overview of 2026 capital budget; 2026 plan is $285.2 million, six‑year SIP about $1.4 billion
Summary
Committee members received a departmental briefing on the 2026 executive capital budget. Staff highlighted a $285.2 million 2026 appropriation, a 2026–2031 SIP of about $1.4 billion, the primary role of general‑obligation borrowing and notable project changes including adjustments tied to north–south BRT funding and Fire Station 6.
City budget staff and department directors briefed the Finance Committee on the executive capital improvement program for 2026 and the six‑year plan (2026–2031).
Christine (budget staff) presented the overall figures: the proposed capital appropriation for 2026 is about $285.2 million; the six‑year capital improvement plan totals roughly $1.4 billion. The largest single funding source is general obligation (G.O.) borrowing; the executive plan relies on a mix of borrowing, utility reserves, federal and state grants, and other sources. Staff noted that the 2025 adopted capital budget included a large federal appropriation for north–south BRT that is carried forward and therefore is not visible as new 2026 appropriations; that explains much of the year‑to‑year variance.
Dave (debt staff) reviewed the debt‑service implications and explained that debt service is paid from the operating budget and is treated separately from the levy‑limit calculation under state law. He reminded the committee that debt obligations on already issued bonds cannot be cut without default risk and that shifting borrowing does not automatically create levy room for operating spending because debt service is calculated outside the levy‑limit growth calculation.
Directors and division heads then gave short briefings of agency requests and changes: Library (collection funding request increase), Monona Terrace (glass/window replacements and HVAC controls), Planning and Municipal Art Fund (budget adjustments to reflect staffing and private contributions), CDA redevelopment (South Madison redevelopment tied to Fire Station 6 and later police facility sequencing), Community Development (affordable housing and consumer lending programs), Economic Development (land banking and TID loans), Fire (training prop and Station 6 work), Police (technology replacement and future evidence facility), Metro (bus and charging equipment; renamed project to reflect fleet/charger needs), Parking (facility maintenance and Block 88 commercial lease planning), Traffic Engineering and Transportation (LED streetlight conversions, signal projects, and BRT reallocation notes).
Staff explained the briefing schedule: remaining agency briefings will continue in committee the next day and the formal amendment window and deadlines for committee amendments were announced.
