Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz introduced his 2006 Executive Operating Budget Tuesday, hailing the proposal as \balanced and responsible."" However, some city representatives said they want to amend the funding for student services and other downtown residents.
""This has been an extremely challenging budget, but the final product ... protects city services and taxpayers alike,"" Cieslewicz said in a statement.
The proposed budget simultaneously boasts the second-lowest property tax increase in 15 years while adding 14 new Madison Police Department patrol officers and protecting other vital services. Yet, Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, pointed to a number of cuts that concern him.
The proposed budget would shut down the Central Public Library, 201 W. Mifflin St., on Sundays, despite a cost of just $60,000 to keep it open all year.
In terms of general services, Madison residents should not notice any change in the delivery of services and the quality of services the city provides, Verveer said.
Additionally, while Cieslewicz provides additional funding for Madison Metro, increasing fuel prices will amount to service cuts on many routes. Many UW-Madison students depend on Madison Metro buses for transportation to class, work and shopping centers.
Furthermore, Cieslewicz proposed hard cuts or a freeze on funding for several nonprofit community organizations that have long relied on public money. These organizations provide heath services and other community assistance. Both the AIDS Network and the Rape Crisis Center will receive modest funding cuts under the proposed budget if funding is frozen, or will not accommodate for inflation, for the Tenant Resource Center and the Women's Transit Authority, an organization that provides free transportation to low-income women.
""I foresee budget amendments,"" Verveer said. ""There aren't a lot of new initiatives at all in the mayor's proposed budget, which in some respects is understandable given the tight fiscal times we find ourselves in,"" Verveer said.
Ald. Zach Brandon, District 7, said Cieslewicz issued a challenge to the City Council to spend more money. Brandon argues that Cieslewicz gave the wrong type of encouragement, that he should have challenged the council to reduce the amount of expenditures.
