Key Issues at Waunakee
Priorities focused on transparency, fiscal responsibility, and thoughtful
planning of the village needs.
Fire Department
Waunakee is growing, and so are our public safety needs. The least we can do for the people who respond at two in the morning is give them clear leadership, honest planning, and a Village Board that follows through on its own word.
Police & EMS
Public safety does not stop at municipal boundaries. Waunakee’s police officers, firefighters, and EMS providers operate in a regional system whether we acknowledge it or not. Our policies and investments should reflect that reality.
Smart Streets & Pedestrian Safety
Street design is public safety policy. The way we design roads determines how fast people drive, how safe it feels to cross the street, and whether walking or biking is even a realistic option. Waunakee has grown quickly, but much of our street network is still designed as if moving cars as fast as possible is the only goal.
Open Data and Transparency
Waunakee already does a lot of things well. Our staff work hard to prepare reports, respond to records requests, and keep the Village running day to day. The challenge is that much of this information still lives in PDFs, meeting packets, or internal systems that require staff time to explain or retrieve.
Housing and Zoning Reform
Waunakee needs housing policies that reflect how people actually live today. I say that as a homeowner in this community. My wife and I were only able to buy our home in Waunakee because interest rates plummeted in 2021. That window closed quickly, and many people who want to live here today do not have the same opportunity.
Code and Ordinance Reform
Waunakee deserves a code of ordinances that is clear, consistent, and easy for residents to understand. Instead, we have a system that often feels more like an HOA handbook than the laws of a local government. Our ordinances are scattered across multiple chapters, full of conflicting definitions, and written in a way that even attorneys struggle to interpret. Residents should not need a law degree to understand their own local government.
Budget Management
Budget management includes reviewing department requests, evaluating funding priorities, monitoring long-term financial planning, and ensuring that village resources are allocated responsibly. Board members work closely with staff to understand financial impacts and maintain stability.