Fitchburg Personnel Committee Meeting - February 11, 2026

The Fitchburg Personnel Committee met on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. According to the transcript, the meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m., though the transcript also contains a 5:03 p.m. reference and an adjournment time of 5:10 p.m., so the exact times are inconsistent. The committee, described as a three-member body, had two members present for the approvals. The committee approved the prior meeting minutes, a police union memorandum of understanding, and an employee handbook policy update, heard no public comment, and announced the next meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the November 12, 2025 Personnel Committee meeting minutes by the two members present.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public appeared for non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

• MOU with the police union (WPPA/WTPA): City staff explained that a new federal law allows eligible employees to deduct some overtime pay from federal taxes. The MOU establishes a 28-day work period from 2025 through 2028 for non-exempt police employees (police officers, detectives, sergeants, and the lieutenant), a work period commonly used by other police departments and matching the fire department. Staff noted the city previously paid overtime based on more than eight hours in a day rather than 40 hours in a week. Overtime pay and the union contract will not change; the work period is only for calculating overtime eligibility for the federal tax deduction. The MOU defines the work period and ensures it is in the union contract.
• Employee handbook update: The committee reviewed track changes on page 135 of the employee handbook, updating the IT policy that applies to all city employees and, when the contract is silent, union employees. The strengthened policy prohibits using systems containing personal or sensitive information for personal interest, even out of curiosity, and requires a strictly approved business need. An example was HR access to Department of Transportation driver abstracts to monitor employees who drive for work; the same access cannot be used to look up someone personally. Staff said the change was not prompted by any employee incident, but followed broader conversations about surveillance and ongoing policy review.

Announcements

• Monthly HR reports: The committee publicized a pathway to monthly reports on the city website: Fitchburg WI.gov > Services > Communications > Department Newsletters and Reports. Staff member Sarah said the reports include special projects, initiatives, recruitments, and turnover, and every city department produces these monthly reports.
• Next meeting: The next Personnel Committee meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the November 12, 2025 Personnel Committee meeting minutes by the two members present.
• Approved the MOU establishing a 28-day work period with the police union (WPPA/WTPA) for 2025 through 2028 by the two members present, with no objections.
• Approved the employee handbook IT policy update on page 135 by the two members present.
• Adjourned at 5:10 p.m. per the transcript, subject to the time inconsistency noted above.