Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the City of Madison to execute a contract with Alma Advisory Group to assist the Police Oversight Board (PCOB) in serving as the hiring manager for the executive search, recruitment, and selection of a permanent Independent Police Monitor. The cost of providing such services is anticipated to not exceed $33,000.
Legislative file #95140 terminated the Interim Police Monitor’s appointment, effective October 20, 2026. The fiscal note for File #95140 stated there would be approximately $33,000 in salary savings from the termination, but there would be other costs such as paying out remaining leave balances. During the mid-year projection exercise, the Office of the Independent Monitor (OIM) budget was projected to be over budget by approximately $9,100, largely due to actual personnel costs being higher than budgeted. The Finance Department is currently completing year-end projections. The preliminary year-end projection anticipates the OIM’s total spending will still be slightly over budget. The salary and benefits savings from the vacancy of the Interim Police Monitor’s position reduces how much overbudget the OIM would have been otherwise, but it does not generate sufficient budget availability to enter into the proposed new contract.
If this resolution is approved, a budget transfer of $33,000 will be needed to fund the contract with Alma Advisory Group. This funding could be transferred from the contingent reserve or from underspending in another agency based on year-end projections. A transfer would need to be authorized through a separate resolution or as a substitute to the current resolution. The sponsor may introduce a substitute to modify the request before the Common Council meeting of November 24, 2026.
Title
Authorizing the execution of a contract with Alma Advisory Group to assist the Police Oversight Board in acting as the hiring manager for the permanent Independent Police Monitor, utilizing salary savings from the Office of the Independent Monitor budget, and ensuring a neutral process with robust public input.
Body
WHEREAS, effective civilian oversight of law enforcement requires adherence to national best practices, including the Thirteen Principles for Effective Civilian Oversight established by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement (NACOLE)-specifically principles prioritizing Independence, Procedural Justice and Legitimacy,Community Outreach, Sustained Stakeholder Support, and Adequate Funding and Operational Resources; and,
WHEREAS, the Common Council terminated the provisional appointment of the Interim Independent Police Monitor,generating an estimated salary and benefits savings of approximately $33,000 within the Office of the Independent Monitor’s (OIM) 2026 budget; and,
WHEREAS, previous administrative concerns involving the City’s Human Resources Department and the City Attorney’s Office highlight the imperative for the Police Oversight Board (PCOB) to engage an independent, neutral third party to lead and facilitate the search process; and,
WHEREAS, securing an independent neutral entity ensures that community confidence is restored and that public input throughout the recruitment and selection process is robust, transparent, and meaningful; and,
WHEREAS, the PCOB seeks to engage Alma Advisory Group, an firm specializing in equitable executive recruitment and community centered hiring practices, to assist the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities as the hiring manager for the recruitment and selection of the permanent Independent Police Monitor; and,
WHEREAS, utilizing $33,000 in realized personnel savings allows the City to secure expert recruitment support without increasing the total 2026 budget allocation for the Office of the Independent Monitor;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council authorizes the PCOB, in consultation with the Finance Department, to negotiate and execute an agreement with Alma Advisory Group in an amount not to exceed $33,000; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Alma Advisory Group shall work directly with and assist the Police Oversight Board in acting as the hiring manager for the recruitment, screening, and selection process for the permanent Independent Police Monitor; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Alma Advisory Group and the PCOB shall structure the search as a neutral process grounded in NACOLE's Core Principles, prioritizing equitable candidate evaluation and robust public engagement; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Finance Director is authorized to amend the 2026 Office of the Independent Monitor operating budget to transfer $33,000 from personnel savings to purchased services for the purpose of funding this engagement.