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Dane County Board adopts 2026 operating budget after debate over sheriff staffing and human services
Summary
After hours of debate over whether to freeze deputy positions or restore funds to human services and shelters, the Dane County Board adopted Resolution 174 (2026 Operating Budget Appropriations, sub 1) on Nov. 5 by roll call, 32–5. Two floor amendments seeking to change staffing and offsets failed in separate roll calls.
The Dane County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 174, the 2026 Operating Budget Appropriations (sub 1), on Nov. 5 after extended floor debate over sheriff staffing and cuts to health and human services programs. The board approved the main motion by roll call, 32–5.
Supervisor Peterson moved a floor amendment to reduce the number of frozen deputy positions from 20 to nine and to restore funding to human services. Peterson described the amendment as a pragmatic fix to staffing and overtime pressures and said it would "reinvest $1.58 million into human services priorities," including "roughly $800,000 toward the new men's shelter" and $150,000 for an RFP to plan an overflow shelter. "When those positions remain vacant, their dollars aren't just sitting idle, they're paying for overtime," Peterson said, arguing restored positions would reduce long-term costs and improve public-safety staffing.
That Peterson amendment was defeated in a…
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