Vote on or Before Tuesday, April 7th
Meet Nino Amato
Nino Amato is a proven leader with decades of experience in public policy, sustainability, and community advocacy. He has served as Co-Vice Chair of Governor Jim Doyle’s Task Force on Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, Former President & CEO of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging & Health Groups, and, for ten years, as an adjunct professor teaching sustainability, public policy, best practices, social change, and climate change public policy at the UW-Platteville campus.
His career has been dedicated to advancing renewable energy, environmental and economic sustainability, and ensuring government accountability and financial transparency.
Our Campaign Assistants:
Mona Lisa &
DaVinci
*Distinction and not an endorsement
About Dane County Supervisor District 15
Dane County Supervisor District 15 is a key part of our county’s local government — one of 37 supervisory districts that make up the Dane County Board of Supervisors. The board is responsible for setting county priorities, adopting the annual budget, and passing policies that impact public services, health and human services, infrastructure, economic development, and environmental stewardship.
The seat is currently vacant following the recent resignation of the previous supervisor, creating an important opportunity for new leadership to represent the voices and priorities of District 15 residents.
Nino Amato is a proud second-generation Madisonian who built one of the first homes in Wexford Village in 1978. He raised his two daughters here and has lived and worked on Madison’s west side for over 47 years.
Priorities for Dane County
Dane County is facing serious challenges, from rising property taxes and housing costs to strained mental health services, drinking water concerns, and public safety issues. These problems are connected, and they demand experienced leadership that goes beyond slogans.
Nino Amato brings decades of public service and hands-on experience managing large public budgets. He has a proven record of demanding transparency, reducing waste, and turning tough policy challenges into practical solutions.
As Dane County Supervisor, Nino will focus on fiscal responsibility, restoring mental health and addiction services, protecting clean drinking water, and promoting smart environmental stewardship, all while listening closely to District 15 residents and fighting for working families, seniors, and small businesses.
Read My League of Women Voters Questionnaire
How should the county address the significant budget deficit expected for the 2027 budget?
Nino Amato: All government budgets are moral documents that reflect the needs & priorities to improving the lives of all residents. With that perspective, addressing the deficit will require both responsible revenue solutions & cost-saving strategies. In addition to increase state revenue-sharing formulas we must take a look at improving efficiency & collaboration w/Madison. This approach worked in 1999 when I co-chaired w/Mark Pocan, the Task Force on the Unification of Madison & Dane Co. Public Health Depts. which improved public services, reduced costs & elimination of duplicative government functions.
What specific ideas do you have to increase the supply and quality of affordable housing, preserve existing affordable housing, and address the needs of unhoused people?
Nino Amato: Housing affordability is a top priority & collaboration among Dane Co. Units of Govt. is a must. I support expanding housing cooperative ownership, streamlining regulatory oversight for high-density condominiums & multi-family developments, strengthening inclusionary housing in new projects, support targeted tax credits & incentives to rehabilitate & modernize older affordable housing units & expanded affordable housing credits for transitional housing and increased investment in mental & addiction treatment facilities that provide supportive services and promote long-term housing stability.
What do you see as the top priorities your constituents have for the county board and how would you address them?
Nino Amato: My priorities reflect the voices of constituents who want housing affordability, safe neighborhoods, clean water, cost-effective Co. services & financially responsible government. I will bring a practical, accountable & a collaborative approach to the Dane Co. Board to ensure these priorities translate into real results! Neighborhood & community public safety is a foundational for every community in Dane Co. We also need to improve Dane Co's drinking water free from “forever chemicals” & a collective sustainability strategies that create good-paying jobs & increase state revenue sharing.
Describe your specific experience (educational, occupational, civic, and community) that prepares you to effectively address your priorities.
Nino Amato: I bring proven public policy leadership experience having served as Pres. of the WI Technical College System Bd, UW-Board of Regents & UW-Hospital Authority Bd. I’ve dealt w/multi Million Dollar Budget issues & dealing w/fiscal challenges—that prepares me to address the issues facing Dane Co. I’ve served as Pres./CEO for the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging & Health Groups, a statewide public policy organization in helping WI.’s 1.4 million elderly & people with disabilities to obtain healthcare access, low-cost Rx Drugs, housing cost & public health issues. I continue to work w/our state legislature & local govt. agencies on healthcare access, funding for public health services, dental care for kids & advocating for sustainable development!
