Money talks, we’re listening 🗣️

Dane County’s 2023 Executive Budget proposal

The City of Madison hosted a public hearing on the 2023 proposed budget. | Photo by 608today team

The Dane County Board of Supervisors is currently reviewing the 2023 executive budget. Don’t have time to read the 877-page budget proposal? Don’t worry. We’re breaking down a few of the need-to-know points for you.

Joe Parsi, our County Executive, proposed the following spending allowances to the board in hopes of making progressive investments in the quality of life for Dane County citizens.

🏠 Life’s basics

Following inflation and supply chain issues, these funds are working to address food security + a basic cost of living.

$6 million to the Second Harvest Foodbank of South Central Wisconsin
$1.5 million for the River Food Pantry’s new facility
$6 million to fund a permanent men’s shelter for the homeless
$6 million invested in Dane County Affordable Housing Development Fund

🧠 Mental health + addiction services

The county is prioritizing access to mental health resources and increasing staffing at public facilities.

$484,000 for staffing at the Behavioral Health Resource Center
$500,000 towards Sheriff’s Office’s mobile crisis team
$283,500 to fund new outreach and prevention positions

♻️ Climate change + conservation

It’s not easy bein’ green — but the 2023 budget is making room to invest in a sustainable future.

$92,600 to boost resources for the Office of Energy and Climate Change
$900,000 for the design of geothermal systems for the East District + Badger Prairie Campus
$3 million to develop a commercial-scale manure treatment facility
$500,000 towards the Waucheeta Connector Trail
$500,000 for the PARC and Ride bike trail grant program

🛣️ General + emerging needs

A series of projects + challenges working to bolster civic and public wellness.

$186,000 to fund testing for PFAS in the drinking water supply
$15.6 million for road improvement projects
$144,000 to supplement the staffing of the Dane County Veterans Service Office

What comes next? The board will review the budget proposal + vote next month, Nov. 2022. When we know more, you’ll know more.

UW School of Medicine & Public Health, All of Us Program

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Today

UW Homecoming Parade | Fri., Oct. 21 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Wisconsin Avenue + State Street | Free | Show your Badger spirit and join in the tradition of the Homecoming Parade. 🎈
Kanopy Redux: No Limits | Fri., Oct. 21 | 7-9 p.m. | Overture Center, 201 State St., Madison | $20+ | Enjoy dance legend Pascal Rioult’s restaging of his iconic “Views of the Fleeting World.”

Saturday

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Purdue Boilermakers | Sat., Oct. 22 | 2:30 p.m. | Camp Randall, 1440 Monroe St., Madison | $80+ | Cheer on the Badgers at this year’s homecoming game. 🏈
Hayrides & Hikes | Sat., Oct. 22 | 1-4 p.m. | Cherokee Marsh, 6098 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | Free | Enjoy the fall weather during a hayride or hike through the conservation park.

Sunday

Mortified Live | Sun., Oct. 23 | 8-10 p.m. | The Bur Oak, 2262 Winnebago St., Madison | $25 | Have a laugh with everyday people reading aloud their most embarrassing teenage diary entries, love letters, and locker notes.
Garden Stroll | Sun., Oct. 23 | 1-2 p.m. | University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy. | Free | Enjoy the nice weather with a gently-paced stroll through the gardens. ☀️

Monday

Making Strides of Madison | Mon., Oct. 24 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Vilas Park, 702 S. Randall Ave., Madison | Free+ | Walk to celebrate breast cancer survivors while bringing awareness to further education + prevention practices.
Brew ‘N View: Twilight | Mon., Oct. 24 | 6:30 p.m. | Majestic Theatre, 115 King St., Madison | $5 | Enjoy a screening of everyone’s favorite vampire love story accompanied by drinking games + a special pre-screening playlist. 🦇

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

Weather

72º | Sunny | 2% chance of rain ☀️

State

Wisconsin received $140 million in federal funding to improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure. Over the next five years, the state will receive a total of $800 million. (Fox 47)

Civic

The Town of Madison is set to merge with Fitchburg + the City of Madison on Mon., Oct. 31. The dissolution will settle boundary disputes between the soon-to-be former town and the neighboring cities it’s dissolving into. 🏙️ (Cap Times)

Health

A statewide “Real Talks” program was implemented by the Department of Health Services. This program aims to promote substance-related harm reduction practices via supportive relationships. 🏥 (Channel 3000)

Job

For the first time in three years, the Madison Fire Department is taking applications for firefighter + EMT recruits. Think you have what it takes? Find out more about the job duties and application process on the City’s website. (NBC 15)

Traffic

A new study suggests that Madison’s traffic signals are among the most efficient in the nation. Our 407 lights ranked No. 22 out of 101 evaluated areas. Our 13-second delay is four seconds shorter than the national average. 🚦 (Madison.com)

Pets

An ordinance was passed to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in Sun Prairie. The City Council unanimously passed this with the intent to protect the health and well-being of these furry friends. 🐶 (NBC 15)

Holiday

Downtown Madison trick-or-treating is set to take place Wed., Oct. 26 from 3-6 p.m. Check out a full list of south central Wisconsin’s trick-or-treating schedules. (NBC 15)
Did Halloween sneak up on you? Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin is offering tips + tricks on how to pull together a unique costume that won’t break the bank. 🎃 (WKOW)

Shop

Here’s a friendly reminder that Halloween is almost here. Have you bought your costume yet? What about the candy? And if you want to be the coolest parent or grandparent on the block — while increasing your trick-or-treater’s nighttime visibility — grab this affordable 100-pack of glow sticks.*

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A historically good time

UW-Madison Homecoming: Where it all began

University of Wisconsin cheerleaders riding in a convertible during the UW-Madison homecoming parade.

University of Wisconsin cheerleaders riding in a convertible during the 1958 homecoming parade.
| Photo by WI Historical Society

Break out the cardinal + white, it’s UW-Madison homecoming weekend. Whether you’re a lifetime local, a fellow UW-Madison alum, or a college sports super-fan, homecoming week brings a palpable energy to the city that can’t be ignored.

Where did it begin?

The way Badger fans naturally flock together for big games caught the attention of the Alumni Association in the early 1900s. Class reunions were rescheduled from the summer months to football season in an attempt to bolster attendance.

In November of 1911, a crowd of 3,000 gathered at the gymnasium for cigars + apple cider before heading to Camp Randall to cheer on the Badgers. Today, this is considered the conception of the university tradition.

Every year since, the festivities have grown. (Think: State Street parades, frat row house decoration contests, and even a short-lived giant bonfire tradition.)

Let’s make it a safe + fun homecoming weekend, get involved and go Badgers.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ally.

Editor’s pick: Who else is excited for Taylor Swift’s album release? I’ll be stopping by Cork N’ Bottle to stock up on provisions for the occasion.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We took a look at the 608’s biggest employers.

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Editorial: Ally Geiger, Ryan Waldman, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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