Dodge County funding board denies Horicon speed-trailer request, approves $2,000 for 5 Stones and authorizes traffic-camera proposal

The Dodge County Crime Prevention Funding Board met and on a voice vote denied a Horicon Police Department grant request for a portable speed trailer, approved a $2,000 grant to 5 Stones of Dodge County for event advertising and voted to direct a board member to prepare a countywide traffic- and community-camera grant proposal for future consideration.

The board, which reported a current fund balance of $93,952.89, heard details about the Horicon request and staff answers about the device. Board members discussed that radar trailers typically record speeds and time-of-day data but do not capture video; several members questioned whether a mobile speed trailer would meet the board’s crime-prevention eligibility and raised concerns about opening the door to many similar requests from other municipalities.

Horicon’s application described the trailer as a data-collection tool to deter speeding and provide speed counts in targeted locations. Board members and staff said the device does not record video and therefore cannot be used to issue citations; one board member said the trailer primarily addresses speeding complaints and public awareness rather than directly preventing violent crime. After discussion, a board member moved to decline the Horicon application; Cameron seconded the motion and the board voted to deny the request by voice vote. The application’s listed cost was discussed in the meeting packet but was not clear in the record; the board chair said they would follow up with Chief Burkin to provide feedback.

The board next considered a grant request from 5 Stones of Dodge County to advertise a March community event. A board member moved to approve the application for $2,000; Dave Beal seconded. Board members spoke in favor, calling the outreach and education effort valuable to community awareness. The motion carried on a voice vote.

With remaining funds, members discussed options for additional 2025 grants. A board member proposed using the fund as seed money to install a network of movable, pole-mounted traffic/community cameras (the member estimated roughly $50,000 for an initial set of seven to eight cameras in several municipalities). Board discussion covered technical and policy issues: whether cameras should be permanently sited or movable, the potential for cellular data/uptime costs, retention and public-records access, dispatch access for real-time monitoring, and the possibility of expanding the system later with local cost-sharing.

Board members asked staff to coordinate with information-technology and dispatch about retention policies and bandwidth. During the discussion, the proposer said initial quotes showed cameras with removable SIM-card cellular uplinks and that individual camera unit costs could be roughly $4,000 each, with an initial platform or “equipment” cost of about $20,000 to $50,000 depending on scope. The proposer emphasized the intent that any board-funded camera project would be seed money and that communities could later add cameras or provide maintenance funding.

The board voted to authorize the board member to prepare a grant proposal for “traffic/community-based cameras” and to bring that proposal back for review; the motion passed on a voice vote. Members also agreed to keep the Crime Prevention Funding Board application open and to advertise it quarterly to encourage more applications from organizations and municipalities.

Board business concluded with approval of the minutes from the prior meeting; one member abstained because they were not present at the earlier meeting. The chair set a tentative next meeting for April 25 at 10 a.m. and adjourned the session.

Votes at a glance: - Horicon Police Department — request for a portable speed/radar trailer — denied by voice vote. Motion to decline moved by a board member (not specified) and seconded by Cameron. Notes: Board discussed that the trailer collects speed/time data only (no video) and questioned alignment with crime-prevention eligibility; application cost in packet unclear; chair to follow up with Chief Burkin for feedback. - 5 Stones of Dodge County — advertising grant — approved $2,000 (motion moved by a board member, seconded by Dave Beal). Voice vote carried. - Direction to prepare grant proposal — traffic/community-based cameras (countywide seed proposal) — motion to have a board member prepare a proposal carried by voice vote. The board asked that the proposal include cost estimates, recommended locations, IT/dispatch coordination, retention policy and proposed funding breakdowns. - Administrative: Minutes of the prior meeting approved by voice vote; one abstention.