Fitchburg District 1 Community Listening Session - September 24, 2026

Mayor Julia Ratafrata hosted a community listening session for District 1 on September 24, 2026. The session featured presentations from Mayor Ratafrata, Alder Joe Maldonado, Alder Dave Herbst, Fire Chief Scott Sarver, and Police representatives Deputy Chief Matt Lehe and Captain Logan Brown. The evening was structured around an hour of city, district, and departmental updates, followed by an hour of public questions and comments. Mayor Ratafrata opened by sharing her background as an accountant, the city's current state (population reaching 37,000), and her vision for Fitchburg as a welcoming, inclusive, and forward-thinking community.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A former plan commissioner expressed disappointment in the uniform architecture of new developments and called for a sweat equity housing program, noting the city is currently in discussions with Habitat for Humanity about potential parcels. He also raised concerns about a lack of sidewalks on busy streets, a need for clearer bike crossing rules, and restrictions on e-bikes to Class 1 on trails.
• Multiple residents offered contrasting views on automated license plate readers (ALPR/Flock). One supported their strict use for major investigations with strong misuse penalties. Another argued they constitute mass surveillance infringing on Fourth Amendment rights, highlighting risks of data monetization and authoritarian overreach.
• Chris Pegar, a school board member and chair of the Community Equity Advisory Committee, voiced concerns about the disparate impact of surveillance on marginalized communities and stressed the need for a robust equity analysis before implementing such technology.
• A resident from the Bellmar area strongly criticized the degradation of local bus service after the Metro redesign, poor cell and internet service, and a lack of access to new city amenities, urging the city to prioritize basic services and building code enforcement over new luxury projects.
• A resident (Patrick) noted concerns about the efficiency of the county-consolidated dispatch service and firmly opposed the proposed municipal forestry fee, which is up for a council vote on October 13.
• A resident asked for a definition of the city's "Climate Champion City" designation and raised concerns about the lack of architectural variety in large apartment developments.

Discussion Items

• City Administration & Budget (Mayor Ratafrata): The mayor detailed her 2027 budget priorities: adding two firefighters, one police officer, a wellness shift for firefighters, and peak ambulance coverage for public safety; investing in housing initiatives and healthy neighborhoods; supporting employees with pay increases; and maintaining stable taxes. The budget proposes a 3.45% tax levy increase (approx. $36/year on an average $505,000 home). Major planned capital investments total over $140 million over the next decade, including a $31 million public safety facility, $51 million in roads, and $40 million in utilities. The city is also beginning a two-year comprehensive plan update.
• District 1 Update (Alders Maldonado & Herbst): Alder Maldonado reviewed district developments including the YMCA (groundbreaking next month, opening Q1 2028), new grocery stores, housing, and the Healthy Neighborhoods grant program pause. He expressed strong concerns about Flock cameras and civil liberties, noting he co-introduced an amendment to end the city's contract. Alder Herbst emphasized infrastructure and public safety, reporting on recent property crimes and supporting the retention of license plate readers as critical investigative tools, citing their use in solving a homicide.
• Fire Department Update (Chief Scott Sarver): Chief Sarver announced the creation of a new training center (repurposing a well house with shipping containers), the hiring of two new firefighters starting September 28, and the introduction of a mental health wellness shift (a first for Dane County fire departments). The city is actively exploring EMS and fire consolidation with five other municipalities through a state innovation grant, with a consultant report expected in 30 days.
• Police Department Update (Capt. Logan Brown & Dep. Chief Lehe): Captain Brown outlined staffing challenges (1.4 officers per 1,000 residents vs. a county average of 1.8; 66% of the force with less than 5 years' experience). To combat property crime, they highlighted an apartment liaison program and noted that 85% of recent vehicle break-ins involved unlocked vehicles. The new police facility, set to open in April 2027, will feature geothermal and solar energy. The department is testing new LPR technology from Axon and emphasized that current Flock usage is restricted to supervisors and detectives for specific investigations only.

Key Outcomes & Next Steps

• The 2027 City Budget is available for two months of public review, with public hearings scheduled for community input.
• A city-wide open house for the Comprehensive Plan update will launch in October 2026.
• The fire consolidation consultant report is due within 30 days.
• The Common Council will vote on the proposed forestry fee on October 13, 2026.
• A "Coffee with a Cop" event is scheduled for October 7, 2026, at the Jamestown neighborhood.
• The future of the Flock camera contract remains under active debate; an amendment to end the contract has been formally introduced for council consideration.