Why the Dane County Executive Isn’t Excited about the 2026 Budget
When new Dane County Executive Melissa Agard campaigned for office last year, she had big plans for how she’d lead the county. But after winning the election in 2024, Agard was faced with a new reality — Dane County is facing down the cliff of a $30 million budgetary deficit, and her big plans would have to take a backseat. It’s no secret that this was a tough budget season for the county, and at the end of the day, Agard is proud of the work that the county has accomplished. But this isn’t the budget she wanted. Today, executive producer Hayley Sperling talks with Agard about what she’s learned from this process and digs into why no one talked about this massive deficit until now.
For more on the county budget process, listen to our conversation with Dane County Supervisor Yogesh Chawla.
👋 Wanna talk to us about an episode? Leave us a voicemail at 608-318-3367 or email madison@citycast.fm. We’re also on Instagram!
📧 You can get more Madison news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the Madison Minutes morning newsletter.
🏠 Get more from City Cast Madison when you become a City Cast Madison Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events, and more. Join the City Cast Madison Neighbors program!
Looking to advertise on City Cast Madison? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this November 24th episode:
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
Latest Episodes
Wisconsin’s Socialism Debate, AI Dispatchers, and Saving the East Side Birds
Democratic socialism is coming for Wisconsin! Host Bianca Martin and executive producer Hayley Sperling sit down to talk about why and ho...
State Rep. Francesca Hong’s Bid for Wisconsin Governor
Wisconsin’s primary election is just four weeks away. On Aug. 11, voters will decide which Republican and Democrat candidates will face o...
Where To Find Madison’s Best Hiking Trails
The sun is shining and it’s time to lace up those hiking boots and get outside! From the Lakeshore Nature Preserve to the UW-Madison Arbo...
‘Your City Could Be Better’: Does Madison Have a ‘Perfect’ Airport? — Presented By City Cast Madison
There’s lots to love about Madison, but being able to get in and out of it easily and cheaply can be an underrated metric of its livabili...
The Mic Drops For Mad Lit, Plus Guv Race Shakeups, and County Jail Troubles
There’s a lot going on in Madison this summer. But not Mad Lit. The popular concert series that has brought thousands to State Street eac...
Opera in the Park and What To Do in Madison This Weekend
The 25th anniversary of Opera in the Park is happening Saturday, July 18 in Garner Park. The free concert will include an extensive reper...
WI Daycare Woes, RIP Campus Flock Cams, Your Stinky Lake Questions Answered!
The state program that continued pandemic-era state subsidies to child care providers ended last week. Where does that leave Wisconsin fa...
State Sen. Kelda Roys’s Bid for Wisconsin Governor
The primary election for the next Wisconsin governor is just five weeks away! Host Bianca Martin continues our election coverage with our...
Madison’s Duck Pond Is a Diamond in the Rough
Things are heating up at the Duck Pond this summer! The Madison Mallards have clinched the Great Lakes West first-half title, and the Mad...
'Your City Could Be Better': The Ultimate USA Trivia Battle. How Much Do You Know? — Presented By City Cast Madison
See if your Madison knowledge serves you well! In the first-ever Your City Could Be Better trivia episode, City Cast CEO David Plotz goes...