💰 What you ought to know about the city referendum

💰 The City Really Wants You To Vote on Its Referendum

• The city of Madison spent over $47,000 on informational mailers sent to voters about the municipal funding referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot.
• The mailer does not expressly advocate for the measure, but “explains the question and the effects of a yes or no vote in plain language.” Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said there would be deep cuts in services if the $22 million referendum doesn’t pass.
• On the City Cast Madison podcast today, Bianca Martin talks to Isthmus reporter Liam Beran about the city’s budget deficit and the referendum’s implications for the city’s future. [City of Madison, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

🎒 Madison School Board Okays Two Potential Budgets

• Also on the Nov. 5 ballot are two referendum questions from the Madison Metropolitan School District. On Monday, the school board approved two alternate budgets, and will move forward with one depending on how next week’s vote goes.
• If the $100 million operating referendum passes, a $7.1 million staff salary increase negotiated with Madison Teachers, Inc. would go forward, but would not if the vote fails. Also if it fails, the district would use existing funds to avoid staff cuts this school year, but would have to make cuts next year, officials said.
• Stay tuned: We have a podcast episode with MMSD Superintendent Joe Gothard coming next week! In the meantime, you can get the details on the referendums here. [WMTV, Cap Times, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

🚓 Independent Monitor Now Accepting Police Complaints

• Residents who have complaints about Madison police can now file an intake form to register their grievances with the city’s independent monitor, Robin Copley.
• The intake forms come as Copley has come under fire from city officials about how long the monitor’s office has taken to get up and running. Rhodes-Conway’s proposed 2025 budget would reduce or eliminate the office, depending on whether the referendum passes or fails. [City of Madison, Cap Times]

⬆️ Last Week’s Photo

This sign is found at the Old Fashioned! Do you take yours sour or sweet?

🎉 Congratulations to Dave B. for being the first (of many guessers) to submit the right answer!

⬇️ This Week’s Photo

Do you know where this photo was taken?

A few clues:

• The giant question mark is located downtown.
• The building it is located on was first opened in 1965, although it underwent a major renovation in 2013.
• This building does indeed contain a lot of answers to your questions!