Micah LaDousa, Fitchburg District 4 Alder Newsletter

Welcome back!

We have a lot to get done before the end of the year, including passing the 2026 budget, filling a vacancy on the City Council, and the grand opening of a flagship park for the city. See all the details below and please let me know if you have questions, comments, or suggestions.

Final Budget Items

Budget Amendments

In the last newsletter, I highlighted key items from the Mayor’s proposed 2026 budget. Since then, the Council has reviewed it and submitted four potential amendments.

I submitted one amendment, to add an AED (automated external defibrillator) at McGaw Park to support the many athletic and community events held there. On most summer Friday nights, over 100 people gather at the pickleball courts, along with baseball and softball, birthday parties, and community events at the shelter. With newly approved lighting for the pickleball courts and future tournament plans, this is a small but important safety investment.

The majority of our city budget is spent on public safety, including police, fire, and EMS services. This small investment ($3000) has potentially unlimited value if it ever saves a life. These kinds of tactical, community-level investments help strengthen the neighborhoods and events that make Fitchburg a better place to live, and support our residents that work alongside us to create community within the city.

The other 3 proposed amendments were:

• Creation of a Youth Commission composed of youth and adults, that would bring a fresh perspective to projects like community centers, the library, and parks and recreation

• Creation of city-hosted blogs for alders

• Removal of $100,000 in funding for communication for city projects.

We will vote on these amendments and the budget as a whole on Tuesday, November 11th.

You can view details of the amendments, as well as the full proposed budget here: City Financial Records & Reports

Replacement Accounts: In the last newsletter, I talked about structural deficits and how we allocate different types of funding. This time, I'd like to highlight replacement accounts, which is a tool we use to manage the multitude of equipment we rely on and which makes our long-term budgeting clearer for residents.

When we purchase equipment, whether it is a truck, a server, or a water heater, our Finance Department creates a replacement fund for that equipment in either the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) or the annual budget. We then set aside an amount each year so that when that equipment needs to be replaced, the funds are already available, without delays or having to cut other priorities.

For example, if a truck costs $50,000 to replace and a 10-year lifespan, we will set aside about $5000 a year. When it’s time for replacement, the funds are ready, with no sudden surprises in the budgeting process.

This proactive financial management smooths out costs over time for the city and its taxpayers. It improves long-term planning and ensures we are being responsible stewards of the tax dollars.

Council Happenings

District 4 Alder Vacancy

We received two applicants for the District 4 alder vacancy, following the resignation of Nicole Vafadari. We will hold interviews during a Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday, November 17th at 6:30pm.

The council will vote to appoint one of the two applicants at the regularly scheduled council meeting on Tuesday, November 25th.

This is my district, so I am excited to get to know more about the two candidates during the interview process, and get to work with them in the future.

"The Hub" Grand Opening

The city will soon host a grand opening for "The Hub" at 2220 Traceway Drive. I was able to tour the new park a few months ago, and it's going to be an incredible addition to the community. This facility will provide a bicycle pump track, a playground with an original design, and a community center. It will give the city more flexibility to host events, listening sessions, and public meetings on the north side of Fitchburg. City Hall can be difficult to reach for some residents (see my Week Without Driving below), so having another public gathering space on the north side is a wonderful improvement.

The city is still in the process of deciding on a permanent name for the new facility and we will be discussing it at the Parks Commission and Common Council in late 2025 or early 2026. Names currently under consideration include Traceway Commons, Fitchburg Hub, and Hosto Hoci, a Ho-Chunk word meaning "place of gathering"

The grand opening will occur on November 24th from 3-6pm, with a ribbon cutting at 5:15pm.

Community Updates

Food Scrap Drop-Off Site Now Open

The Fitchburg food scrap drop-off site is now open, and is currently located at the Swan Creek Park shelter at 5175 E Cheryl Pkwy. The site is a collaboration with Dane County, who manage and maintain drop-off sites throughout the county. Residents can register to obtain the ability to unlock the containers, and then can drop off compostable food scrap items 24/7. The bins can be moved, so we can try different locations throughout the city over time to see how utilization changes. Register here, or use this link to find out more about the program.

Week Without Driving

From September 29-October 5, I participated in the national Week Without Driving, which encourages elected officials to find alternate forms of transportation for a week, in order to gain perspective on the lives of those who are unable to drive. In Fitchburg, 40% of residents do not drive, relying on city transit, walking, biking, or rides from others.

When I mentioned this to neighbors, many assumed it was a climate change initiative. While that is important, the experience gave me a better perspective on the amount of planning and time transportation takes up when one does not have access to a car. It takes extra time to bike or walk places. It can be uncomfortable to ask friends or family for assistance with rides. When we are planning a city, we need to consider the needs of all residents that live in our community, and how we can support transportation for everyone.

UW Health Rehab Center Groundbreaking

I was excited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the new UW Health Rehab Center in Uptown at the corner of Lacy and E Cheryl. This 40-room facility will support patients in their recovery from stroke, neurological disease, or other debilitating illnesses. I truly hope this facility can be a catalyst for this region of the city, as we are able to combine the large amount of residential growth that has already occurred with businesses providing employment opportunities, and hopefully in the future, additional retail and dining options. (photos courtesy of UW Health).

Stay in Touch

I wish everyone a happy November as things start to cool off and we move into the holiday season. We only have 3 council meetings left in 2025, so if you have any questions or issues, please feel free to reach out anytime.

Below are some important sources I encourage you to access.

Youtube: Subscribe to the FACTv Youtube Channel. I highly recommend the Council Recaps, City Administrator Updates, and Talking Fitchburg videos. These are concise updates that give you the information you need.

NotifyMe: This is the city's text/email notification platform. I want to call out the library and senior center who have some great newsletters. Subscribe here.

Facebook: Start by following the City of Fitchburg, and then follow me. We can talk about additional pages in the future.

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