The Madison Finance Committee unanimously adopted two items (Legistar 90,489 and Legistar 90,576) on Nov. 17 that implement 2026 changes to municipal employee benefits and ordinances agreed through the meet‑and‑confer process.

HR Director Tamika Hilson told the committee the package was “mutually agreed upon through the Meet and Confer process.” Alder Rivera asked whether employee associations raised objections to eliminating a longstanding 10‑day suspension step in the progressive‑discipline sequence; Hilson said the change was negotiated with the employee groups and the parties reached a compromise for a transition year.

Under the compromise described by Hilson, employees who had a 5‑day suspension in 2025 will receive an additional 5‑day suspension step in 2026 before a potential termination; the HR director said the transition provision applies only for the 2026 year. Hilson said the changes were not brought for extended debate because they were part of a negotiated agreement between management and the employee associations.

President Bittiver moved to adopt the measures; the motions were seconded. With no further questions or discussion on either item, the committee recorded unanimous votes in favor of both measures.

The ordinance change (Legistar 90,576) was described by staff as an update to Madison General Ordinances to reflect the negotiated meet‑and‑confer terms. The committee did not specify monetary amounts tied to the handbook changes during the public portion of the meeting.

The measures now stand adopted by the Finance Committee and will proceed according to the city’s legislative process.