Rhodes-Conway Proposes 2027 Budget With Funding for Police Bodycams

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway released her proposed 2027 executive operating budget on Tuesday, calling for $477.5 million in general and library fund expenditures. The proposal marks a $24.8 million, or 5.5%, increase over the 2026 adopted budget, according to Channel 3000.

Madison Budget Funds Body Cameras for Police

The city’s public safety and health category is slated to grow from $186.3 million in 2026 to $194.8 million in 2027. This allocation covers police work and the Office of the Independent Monitor.

The budget includes funding for the implementation of body-worn cameras, a program that also appears in Dane County Executive Melissa Agard’s 2027 budget proposal. Madison police officers do not currently use body-worn cameras. The push for the equipment follows the July 22 police shooting of 38-year-old Corey Ruiz at the intersection of Williamson and Baldwin streets. The mayor’s budget provides for three civilian positions to manage the program and includes funding for necessary software, supplemented by a $350,000 grant from the Madison Community Foundation.

Funding Levels for the Office of the Independent Monitor

Mayor Rhodes-Conway’s budget maintains funding for the Office of the Independent Monitor at near-current levels. This decision arrives despite requests from the Police Civilian Oversight Board to increase the office’s budget to 1% of the total Madison Police Department budget.

Interim Independent Police Monitor Aeiramique Glass had requested $781,158 for the office, a figure that would have nearly doubled the 2026 funding level. In June, the mayor directed all agency heads to prepare for 2% budget cuts. A 42-page employment review of the Office of the Independent Monitor, conducted by the city attorney’s office, identified several ongoing issues within the department. Glass, who participated in protests following the shooting of Corey Ruiz and drew public scrutiny for comments regarding the city, told News 3 Now on Monday that she does not consider the city attorney’s review legitimate.

Debt Service Accounts for 16.9% of Budget

Beyond public safety, the city’s next-largest spending category involves general fund debt service, which accounts for $80.5 million, or 16.9% of the total budget. These funds are designated to repay municipal borrowing used for capital budget projects, which include investments in city infrastructure and assets.

Mayor Proposes 477.5 Million for Fiscal Year 2027

• The mayor has proposed $477.5 million for the 2027 fiscal year.
• The proposal follows the July 22 police shooting of Corey Ruiz.
• Funding remains near 2026 levels, falling short of the nearly $781,000 requested by interim monitor Aeiramique Glass.