Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz introduced his 2009 capital budget at Tuesday's Common Council meeting, vowing to maintain a high quality of life while saving money in the city for the upcoming year.
Among priorities in the mayor's $154.7 million capital budget are the construction of new libraries and improvements to city streets, including projects on East Washington Avenue, University Avenue and Campus Drive.
We've found significant savings, but we've maintained all our commitments to public safety, basic services and promoting the infrastructure that maintains a high quality of life across the city,"" Cieslewicz said.
Cieslewicz's capital budget proposal aims to borrow $57.6 million in a new general fund, falling $7.3 million under the target amount adopted in the 2008 budget as part of a five-year capital borrowing plan.
""In economic times like these, we're working hard to not only think about next year, but to also plan for years to come,"" Cieslewicz said in a statement. ""We don't have room for new programs this year, but my capital budget helps to position us to take advantage of economic recovery in years to come.""
The council will vote on the capital budget, along with the operating budget, scheduled for an Oct. 7 introduction, during the week of Nov. 11.
