The Fox Valley Metro Police Department covers Kimberly and Little Chute. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — Kimberly is leaving the Fox Valley Metro Police Department and will instead contract with the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services.
The village board voted unanimously at a meeting Monday evening to withdraw from the department.
Kimberly’s departure will leave Little Chute as the only remaining municipality served by Fox Valley Metro police. In 2017, the Combined Locks village board voted to leave the department, also opting to contract with the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office.
“We found an opportunity to save some significant dollars in the deal and get some excellent coverage with a professional policing agency,” said Kimberly Village President Chuck Kuen. “Again, this had nothing to do with dissatisfaction with the Metro’s performance at all.”
Kuen cited the long-term financial sustainability of the department, especially given Little Chute’s greater potential for growth.
It was late May when the FVMPD police chief first confirmed that Kimberly was exploring other law enforcement services.
Timeline:
- August 4: Kimberly announces it’s leaving FVMPD
- July 21: Kimberly meets with Little Chute to discuss future
- June 16: Kimberly hosts community listening sessions
- June 2: Kimberly announces it is considering leaving FVMPD
Kimberly said they’ll save an estimated $279,000 per year, or about 17% of their $1.66 million police budget, by making the switch. In a typical year, Little Chute pays for about 60% of the department, with Kimberly paying the other 40%.
Kuen hopes to use the savings to buy down the cost of debt service and create a fund to assist in the removal of all private lead pipes and water services in the village of Kimberly.
FVMPD had no say in the village’s decision Monday night.
“It’s going to mean change for our organization. And obviously we’re adapting to that, figuring out what that means for us an organization,” said Lt. Mark Wery of FVMPD. “But as far as the day-to-day police services that we provide to our community, that’s not going to change.”
Community members have been vocal about this topic at public listening sessions.
Kimberly gathered input earlier this summer, receiving 380 responses — about 6% of the Kimberly population.
- 75% preferred to stay with FVMPD
- 17% preferred to go with OCSD
- 8% had no preference
The transition could take up to three years, as per the agreement between the villages. However, Kuen said the transition may come sooner.
Kimberly says the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office will provide the same coverage. The department may also hire some of the displaced FVMPD officers.
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