DANE COUNTY LAKES AND WATERSHED COMMISSION TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON ITS 2006 BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS

August 15, 2005
Brett Hulsey (608-334-4994) Sue Jones (608-224-3764)
Land & Water Resources

The Lakes and Watershed Commission public hearing on its draft 2006 budget recommendations will be held during the Commission’s August 18, 2005 meeting, at 5:30 p.m., in Courtroom 2E of the City County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in downtown Madison. State law requires the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission to review county departments’ water-resource-related budgets. The budget review process was designed to give the Commission and public a chance to advocate for water resource-related budget initiatives. The draft Commission recommendations include capital budget expenditures for aquatic plant harvesting, expansion of the Clean Water Program established in 2005, continuation of a patrol boat replacement program, and expanded monitoring funds. The draft recommendations can be reviewed at www.danewaters.com/events/budget_meeting_20050818.aspx. Citizens can also submit written comments to the Lakes and Watershed Commission by sending a message to lakes@co.dane.wi.us. The deadline for electronic comments is noon on Thursday August 18. Commission chair Brett Hulsey said, "To protect our lakes, streams and drinking water, the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission believes that the county budget must include adequate funds and staff for effective conservation and environmental protection programs we need. We invite public comment before we complete our recommendations to the County Executive." After the public hearing, the Commission will refine its recommendations and forward them to County Executive Kathleen Falk by September 1 for consideration in her budget. Commission recommendations are also provided to the County Board for their use in budget deliberations. The County Executive’s budget is delivered to the County Board on October 1. The County Board and County Executive hold public hearings on the budget during September and October (final dates to be determined). The County Board acts on the budget after receipt from the County Executive, typically adopting a final budget before Thanksgiving. # # #