Mayor Sue Bauman’s

Neighborhood Association Newsletters

Monthly Column

January 2003

As I look back over 2002, I can recall many highlights. For instance, Madison overcame the uncertainty of the more than $1 billion state budget deficit and its impact on the city. Madison stood to lose $8.3 million in 2002 payments under the governor’s original plan that was wisely rejected by the legislature.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors held its annual meeting in Madison in June. This prestigious national event put Madison in the national spotlight for five days as mayors from across America came together to fashion an agenda for the nation’s cities. I am pleased that agenda includes a strong emphasis on affordable housing. That has always been among my highest priorities for Madison, and I am glad to see the Conference taking the issue further. Our city has reaped rewards from hosting this meeting in the form of visiting delegations from other cities wanting to learn more about Madison. We anticipate future groups choosing Madison as a convention site as a result of the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting.

I’m also very pleased that the executive budget for 2003 that I submitted reflects a cut in property taxes on the average home for the first time in anyone’s memory. Though the council increased spending over my recommendations, the adopted budget still decreases the city portion of taxes on the average home by almost $20.00.

The single achievement in 2002 that I am most proud of, and that has the greatest long-term significance, is the November signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement among the Town of Madison, the City of Madison and the City of Fitchburg. It culminated a process that began after Fitchburg filed a notice of its intent to annex 90 percent of the existing town, which would have brought the boundary of Fitchburg to Monroe Street.

I persuaded the Town Board Chair and the Mayor of Fitchburg to engage in negotiations that resulted in a boundary agreement and the future dissolution of the town. It transfers 90 percent of land in the township to Madison after a maximum of 20 years.

The development of a Cooperative Plan is the next step in the process. It will be presented at a joint public hearing in March 2003. The Cooperative Plan will then be adopted by the three jurisdictions and submitted to the state Department of Administration for review and final approval.

This achievement gives us an opportunity to work with challenge neighborhoods in South Madison and to create redevelopment districts on South Park Street and Todd Drive that will improve the quality of life for South Madison residents much sooner than possible in the absence of the agreement.

We have brought to a peaceful close more than 50 years of disputes over annexations that have often thwarted the good relationships we have sought with neighboring municipalities.

The boundary agreement with Fitchburg and the Town of Madison is symbolic of a larger process that we are engaged in with our neighbors. We’re looking for ways to cooperate with each other, more now than ever before. In August 2002 I began meeting regularly with officials from bordering cities and villages. Those meetings will continue in 2003. We discuss possible collaborations across a wide variety of municipal services, including assessments, water and sewer service and public safety. In February 2003 we’ll be exploring the creation of a regional water utility.

I’m enthusiastic over the strides we made in 2002 to improve our relations with neighboring municipalities and the commitments that we have to continue working together in the New Year. It is an auspicious way to start 2003.

Best wishes for a safe and prosperous new year!

Mayor Susan J.M. Bauman

Return to Winter 2003 Table of Contents