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More Sought For Human Services
Spend More For Shelters, Board Urged
Wisconsin State Journal :: LOCAL/WISCONSIN :: B3
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Lesley Rogers Barrett Wisconsin State Journal
Dane County residents asked Monday for more money for human services and
emergency homeless shelters at a hearing on the proposed 2005 county budget.The County Board will start debating and making changes to the $412 million budget on Nov. 8. The spending plan is expected to be approved late next month for the fiscal year that begins Jan. 1.
Several residents spoke about the need for more money for the Department of Human Services, which provides programs for children, low-income families, the elderly and people with developmental disabilities.
Other speakers asked the board to keep a $3 million budget proposal to buy and protect green space.
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Carol Kiemel, president of the League of Woman Voters of Dane County, said the $210 million budget for Human Services will result in cuts to services.
The amount is $5 million more than this year, but that's because the department is getting more money through grants and fees. Despite the increase, agencies and nonprofits that contract with Dane County say they will have to make cuts because the increase won't keep up with demand and the cost of living.
"We have watched with concern the erosion of quality services, due to the cuts in real dollars, combined with the soaring costs of health insurance," Kiemel said. "We see a system in crisis due to budget cuts and inflation."
Ryan Spangler, founder of the Madison Warming Center Campaign, told board members the county needs to spend more on emergency homeless shelters.
"We need a balanced approach," Spangler said. "People are drowning in poverty."
Sharyn Wisnewski, executive assistant to County Executive Kathleen Falk, said the county plans to spend $2 million on homelessness issues next year.
Falk has proposed spending $3 million for the conservation to preserve green space.
Mark Smith, a seventh-grade teacher at Sun Prairie's Patrick Marsh Middle School, told board members he planned to speak in favor of the conservation fund. Instead, he scolded them for being inattentive.
"You're not very good listeners," Smith said. "You're drinking soda, talking on the phone and reading newspapers while people are spilling their guts."
What's next?
* Nov. 8 -- 7 p.m., the Dane County Board is expected to start deliberating the proposed $412 million budget, Room 201 in the City-County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
* Nov. 10 and 11 -- County Board continues deliberations.
The budget is online at www.co.dane.wi.us/budget/2005/executive.html