Monona committee to recommend council consider resolution tightening mutual-aid requests after Madison policy shift
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Summary
Monona's Public Safety Committee voted unanimously Feb. 4 to recommend a resolution clarifying how the city asks for mutual aid after Madison adopted a resolution seeking reimbursement for mutual-aid costs; Monona's chief has directed officers to request Madison only for life-or-safety incidents while the matter is monitored.
The Monona Public Safety Committee voted unanimously Feb. 4 to recommend that the full Common Council consider a resolution formalizing how the city handles mutual-aid requests in response to the City of Madison’s recent policy change on pursuing reimbursement for assistance.
The measure, drafted after Madison’s Dec. action (referred to in committee discussion as Madison resolution 90986), seeks to clarify when Monona will request mutual aid and how Monona will manage risk tied to outside agencies’ reimbursement efforts. Chief Cheney told the committee he had issued a directive telling Monona officers they “shall not request the City of Madison Police Department unless it's a life or safety issue” while the legal and operational implications are worked out.
The vote followed a lengthy discussion about whether Madison’s resolution — which Madison officials in a prior public meeting described as tied to an incident in September 2025 and to an insurance inquiry — will change day-to-day cooperation. Staff told the committee that Madison’s insurer (WIMIC) filed a compensation request involving Monona that is an open claim, and legal counsel advised against discussing details of that claim in committee.
Committee members raised two central concerns: the potential for reimbursement language to blunt everyday mutual aid and routine backup, and operational effects if Monona officers begin to rely on more distant partners. One member with emergency-management experience warned that new billing practices could weaken the mutual-aid framework used during weather events and other large incidents.
Chief Cheney and staff offered context about existing agreements. He noted a formal MOU used for large activations (CAPMAR) and explained that for routine policing officers often ‘‘self-assign’’ to assist neighboring agencies. He also said suburban and county partners have given reassurances they will respond when available. The chief described this moment as “uncharted territory,” but said life-or-safety responses should not be delayed: “You shall go if it's a life and safety issue.”
The committee asked the chief to return with a six-month update on how mutual-aid relationships and the new directive are operating; the chief agreed. The motion to recommend the resolution will go to the full Common Council for consideration.
What happens next: The resolution now moves to the Common Council, where council members will decide whether to adopt Monona’s formal approach to requesting mutual aid. Chief Cheney said he would report back to the committee in roughly six months with operational updates and any recommended changes.
No financial figures were presented by Monona staff or the committee as verified invoices; committee discussion referenced an estimate mentioned at Madison's public meeting of about $1,000,000 tied to a September 2025 incident, which staff described as a public guesstimate and an open insurance matter.
