MADISON, Wis. — The Dane County Personal Finance Committee on Oct. 30 approved a substitute operating-appropriations package that shifts limited salary savings and other adjustments to fund human services and shelter operations while preserving hiring capacity in the sheriff’s office.

Sub 1, adopted by voice vote, corrects a reserves calculation and recognizes salary savings the committee said will be realized because a number of positions are expected to remain vacant through 2026. The committee approved an amendment earlier in the meeting that reallocated $52,049 to a planning position (ZLR O1) after members discovered the budget spreadsheet had double-counted the policy reserve requirement.

The committee’s substitute reduces the previously proposed $900,000 increase for the new men’s shelter to $817,240 and keeps a line for outreach and an overflow shelter in place, while restoring most but not all of a proposed reversal to a 4% cut for human-services purchase-of-service agencies. Chair Wegleitner said the overflow funding is intended for winter months and that the county will need to find operating funds into early 2027 so an overflow site is not abruptly closed on Dec. 31.

Public testimony and in-room debate highlighted the trade-offs at stake. Tory Mueller, a registered public commenter, told the committee that the county risks constructing “a beautiful building that won’t be able to realize its potential” without operating funds: “What if we don't have the funding to operate the shelter?” Mueller also said staff tracking shows 16 people died while experiencing homelessness in 2023, 20 in 2024 and 15 so far in 2025.

County employees and first responders urged caution about relying on vacancy savings to backfill shelter operations. “There’s a severe lack of time off,” said Andrew, who identified himself as a deputy with the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, describing mandatory overtime and “blackout dates” that force staff to cancel planned vacation. Chance Kesmarski, a paramedic, told the committee it was “concerning” to fund homeless services “on the back of the sheriff’s office,” saying the sheriff needs adequate staffing to operate the jail and keep staff safe.

Brian Tischer, president of the Dane County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, urged the committee to weigh deputy testimony even if members were not physically present: “We will continue to serve this community and its residents because it is our home and we have chosen to protect it.”

Supporters of the substitute described it as a compromise that protects day-to-day public safety operations while directing limited dollars to prevention and human-services programs. Several supervisors said the move buys time ahead of what staff and members warned will be a structurally difficult 2027 budget year.

Outcome and next steps: The committee adopted sub 1 as amended (voice vote). Staff said the committee will forward the amended resolutions to the full County Board next week, and final levy and resolution numbers will be recalculated to reflect approved amendments.

Notes: The substitute package includes multiple HHN items (notated in the committee packet as HHN 01, HHN 02 and HHN 03). The committee discussed using, but not tying funding to, the city-owned Zire Road building as one potential overflow location. Where the transcript or packet did not include a precise dollar, number or tally, this report notes the item as “not specified.”