County Board Supervisor Jeff Weigand Blasts Irresponsible and Reckless County Budget

(November 5, 2025)

The Dane County Board of Supervisors passed the 2026 County Budget Thursday evening. The $825,599,213 spending plan misses the mark for the following reasons:

• Raises property taxes by $11,582,690

• Cuts the Sherrif’s budget by $2,388,000 and requires the Sherrif to leave 20 vacant positions open and unfilled all year long

• Funds up to $20,000 to pay for transportation, childcare and other support for women who want an abortion

• Raises the vehicle registration fee by 30%

• Raises parking fees at the Alliant Energy Center by 20%

• Raises garbage fees at the landfill by various amounts

• Raises parking fees at the Dane County Regional Airport by various amounts

• Raises cremation permit fees

In the 5 years I have been on the County Board, property taxes have risen 30% from $209,335,114 in 2022 to $272,034,539 in 2026. This is unacceptable as Dane County taxpayers are not seeing a 30% increase in services.

Dane County Taxpayers continue to be taxed higher than any other county in Wisconsin according to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation. Further, the $2,388,000 cut to the Sherrif’s office will directly impact public safety. Our Sherrif’s office needs more resources, not less.

I’m calling on County Executive Melissa Agard to veto these dangerous cuts to public safety. For all these reasons and more, I vote NO in the 2026 Dane County Budget.

Jeff Weigand currently serves as a Dane County Board Supervisor representing the 20th District. First elected in a special election in 2021, Jeff was re-elected to a full two-year term in 2022 and 2024. He currently serves on the Public Protection and Judiciary Committee. Jeff and his wife Melissa live with their six children in Marshall.