Public Safety Committee forwards 2026 capital budget recommendations for police dispatch and fire/EMS to council

The Monona Public Safety Committee on July 23 recommended that the city council approve 2026 capital budget items for police dispatch and for fire and emergency medical services. On police dispatch, staff provided a brief overview and said the packet for 2026 included items carried forward from prior discussions. Staff noted a communications recorder (to capture radio and phone traffic) was listed as a 2027 project in the packet and that the rest of the dispatch capital items remained unchanged from prior presentations. The committee moved and approved a recommendation to forward the dispatch capital budget to council by voice vote. Fire and EMS Chief McLaughlin reviewed the department’s 2026 capital requests and discussed carry‑forwards and reallocation of prior budgeted amounts. The chief said an engine upfitting would move from 2025 into the 2026 budget and that chassis costs had been budgeted earlier; only a portion of current funds are needed for outfitting. McLaughlin also listed a radio replacement project for mobile units and an annual personal protective equipment (PPE) replacement line; the total requested amount remained consistent with previous packets though staff removed some tentative mayoral amendment items pending further discussion with the mayor’s office. Committee members asked procedural questions and then voted to forward the fire/EMS capital budget recommendation to council. The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Next steps: both committee recommendations will appear to the city council for consideration; staff said any mayoral or council amendments would be handled through the normal budget amendment process.