Spring 2021 Referendum Questions: Progressive Dane Policy Committee Recommendations

The Progressive Dane Policy Committee makes the following recommendations for the advisory referendum questions on the Spring ballot for City of Madison residents. The ProDane membership will vote on these recommendations following a panel discussion of them and other proposals by the Task Force on Government Structure, at our March 31 GMM.

Question 1: Madison currently has a part‑time Common Council with members who are paid approximately thirteen‑thousand seven hundred dollars ($13,700) per year. Beginning with the 2023 Spring Election, SHOULD the City of Madison transition to a full‑time Common Council with each Common Council member earning between fifty percent (50%) to eighty percent (80%) of the Adjusted Median Income for Dane County for a single parent with two children (approximately $45,000 to $71,000 per year)?

Policy Committee Recommendation: No

If the position is full-time, it will be difficult for students to serve on the Common Council and subsequently represent the student body. Additionally, this may make it more expensive to run for office due to the increased competitiveness. We support higher salaries for Alders, but not professionalizing the position via a full-time nature. A full-time council would cause electeds to disrupt their lives for a two to four year period, and then have to return to the workforce. This seems unrealistic and favors those who do not need to work or are in comfortable financial positions. Further, a full-time position changes the notion that this is a job rather than public service. This leads us to ask if benefits would be considered. Meetings may be more likely to occur during the day, leaving the public out of the process. Finally, this begs the question as to whether non-Alder members of City committees, commissions, and boards should be paid. It could be more equitable to pay committee members before raising the salaries quite significantly, contingent on there being money in the budget to do so.

___________________________________________________________________________

Question 2: Madison currently has a part-time Common Council comprised of twenty (20) alderpersons, one from each alderperson district. Beginning with the 2023 Spring Election, SHOULD the size of the City of Madison Common Council:

Policy Committee Recommendation: Be increased 

Due to our recommendation, we advise an amendment of our City Platform to reflect this. It is hard to represent a district of more than 10,000 people on the Council. Having 10,000 constituents would allow Alders to know their constituents more thoroughly and for residents to be more readily able to participate. It is important to keep politics at the neighborhood level, as the many neighborhoods vary considerably from one another. Increasing the size of the Council would allow Alders to serve on fewer City committees, focusing their efforts. In addition to population growth in the City, the annexation of the Town of Madison will further grow the electorate.

____________________________________________________________________________

Question 3: Madison alderpersons are currently elected to two (2) year terms. The Madison Mayor is currently elected to four (4) year terms. Beginning with the 2023 Spring Election, SHOULD City of Madison alderpersons be elected to four (4) year terms?

Policy Committee Recommendation: No

Although four year terms would allow for less time to be spent on campaigns, and may create a stronger Council, longer terms could lead to less accountability, professionalized public service, and distance more transient populations (such as students and renters) from their Alders. Four year terms would further mean fewer opportunities to challenge an incumbent. If Alders leave before their four-year term is up, their appointed replacement could have a significant advantage in the next election by becoming the default incumbent without voter approval. Four year terms would mean that Alders do not need to prioritize constituent outreach as frequently , as significant gaps would occur between election and the time required to engage with the district in a re-election bid..

____________________________________________________________________________

Question 4: Madison alderpersons are currently not subject to term limits. Beginning with the 2023 Spring Election, if the City transitions to a full‑time Common Council SHOULD the City of Madison alderpersons be subject to term limits of twelve (12) consecutive years?

Policy Committee Recommendation: Yes

We support this in the event that there is a full-time council. However, there is value to having experience on the council and knowing how to navigate the process. We are generally in favor of letting the voters decide and are aware that term limits may create “lame duck” Alders. We believe term limits would encourage incumbents to recruit new, diverse Alder candidates.