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Weather Alert

Weather Alert

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 151 REMAINS VALID UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT
TONIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN WISCONSIN THIS WATCH INCLUDES 8 COUNTIES

IN SOUTH CENTRAL WISCONSIN

DANE                  ROCK

IN SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN

JEFFERSON             KENOSHA               MILWAUKEE
RACINE                WALWORTH              WAUKESHA

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BELOIT, BROOKFIELD, DELAVAN,
EAST TROY, ELKHORN, FORT ATKINSON, JANESVILLE, JEFFERSON,
KENOSHA, LAKE GENEVA, MADISON, MENOMONEE FALLS, MILWAUKEE,
MUSKEGO, NEW BERLIN, RACINE, WATERTOWN, WAUKESHA, AND WHITEWATER.

Madison faces budget shortfalls, some transportation services could be at risk

  • Jerel Ballard joined the 27 News Team in September of 2023 as a Reporter and Multimedia Journalist.

    As a Milwaukee, Wisconsin native who graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communications, Jerel began his career as a Weekday Reporter and Sunrise 7 Sunday Anchor for CBS WSAW7 and FOX WZAW in North Central Wisconsin.

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During a Transportation Commission Meeting on Wednesday, officials openly acknowledged the looming financial challenges on the horizon. This acknowledgment comes after 14 consecutive years of budget shortfalls for the City of Madison, largely attributed to state-imposed revenue restrictions combined with increasing service demands. In the past five years alone, Madison has relied heavily on federal pandemic relief and economic recovery funds to sustain some essential services. However, with those temporary measures now waning, city officials find themselves in a position to raise more funds.
Metro

MADISON (WKOW) — City officials in Madison are facing a tough financial road ahead as they grapple with budget shortfalls for 2025, some budget cuts could impact transportation services.

During a Transportation Commission Meeting on Wednesday, officials openly acknowledged the looming financial challenges on the horizon. This acknowledgment comes after 14 consecutive years of budget shortfalls for the City of Madison, largely attributed to state-imposed revenue restrictions combined with increasing service demands.

In the past five years alone, Madison has relied heavily on federal pandemic relief and economic recovery funds to sustain some essential services. However, with those temporary measures now waning, city officials find themselves in a position to raise more funds. 

To address the budget deficit, officials are considering various strategies to increase revenue. Among these are proposals to raise funds through avenues such as increased vehicle registration fees or stricter enforcement of street parking violations. However, if additional funds cannot be secured, difficult decisions may need to be made, including potential cuts to bus routes that have low ridership or job.

Officals hope to introduce a referendum to voters to help decide which services should continue and which services may need to be reduced.

The city will continue to seek input from the public on best directions to take. 

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Jerel Ballard joined the 27 News Team in September of 2023 as a Reporter and Multimedia Journalist.

As a Milwaukee, Wisconsin native who graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Communications, Jerel began his career as a Weekday Reporter and Sunrise 7 Sunday Anchor for CBS WSAW7 and FOX WZAW in North Central Wisconsin.

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