Dane County public hearing draws broad opposition to proposed 4% cuts to human services

Dozens of nonprofit leaders, service providers and residents urged the Dane County Board of Supervisors at a public hearing to oppose a proposed 4% cut to purchase-of-service (POS) contracts in the county executive’s draft 2026 budget, saying the reduction would destabilize crisis and shelter programs the county relies on.

Speakers described how POS agencies deliver crisis calls, mobile response and shelter operations countywide and cautioned that the combination of a blanket 4% cut, a freeze on unit reimbursement rates and removal of the county’s 1/12 payment method would create cash-flow and staffing crises for smaller nonprofits.

Advocates said the cuts would reduce access to community-based crisis interventions and shelter capacity at a time demand is increasing. Ashley Baker, a Dane County resident and Journey Mental Health employee, told the board, “The proposed 4% cuts in this budget will have a devastating impact not only on the individuals currently served, but also on those who will need services in the future.” Sarah Henriksen, a licensed clinical social worker and supervisor in Journey Mental Health’s emergency services unit, described the unit’s 24-hour crisis line, mobile crisis teams and co-responder work with police and CARES and…