At the Dodgeville Common Council Regular Meeting on Tuesday, March 17, city resident Wendy Nipple raised a concern during Public Comment. She addressed the issue of fireworks being set off after 10:00 p.m. without prior notice to celebrate high school state tournament achievements. While she clarified that she fully supports celebrating the teams’ and individuals’ accomplishments, she suggested it would be helpful for the public to receive advance notice about such celebrations in the future.
She is concerned about residents who may have PTSD and interpret loud fireworks as gunshots, which could potentially trigger distress. Additionally, there are individuals with young children who may become frightened by the noise, as well as pet owners whose dogs may react adversely when fireworks are set off. The Council appreciated her concern, and it will be on the April 8th Ordinance Committee for further discussion.
In his Report, Police Chief Brandon Wilhelm submitted the 2025 Dodgeville Police Department Annual Report. Some highlights he pointed out were Calls for Service Increased with Officers responding to 4,217 calls in 2025, a 14% increase from 2024, reflecting growing service demand and expanded reporting practices. He said Disturbance Calls were up significantly at nearly 70%. He added they also had 5-year highs in multiple categories, such as sex offenses, threats, harassment, warrants, fraud, animal issues, civil issues, ordinance issues, juvenile matters, and traffic complaints. Though senseless, he did mention in July of 2025 Dodgeville experienced its first major homicide investigation since 2006 and said the upside was that through rapid interagency coordination involving over 50 personnel, a suspect was apprehended within 12 hours.
In Technology improvements for his department, 2025 marked the first full year of using the Zuercher reporting system, improving data sharing, evidence tracking, and efficiency in report writing. A formal officer wellness program was implemented. His department deployed new duty handguns with optics, patrol rifles, simulation training, and added an additional hybrid squad vehicle.
Future goals for his department include expanding city cameras, implementing digital forensics software, pursuing WILEAG accreditation standards, and evaluating the addition of another patrol officer position, and continued community event support which involves much planning, staffing and traffic control. The full report can be found on the City’s website.
Recreation Director Megan James Reported over 1700 people registered for programs in 2025 in her first year and is looking forward to registering more in 2026. Adult classes are currently being run in March and this Friday, March 20, come join the fun at Harris Park for the first time flashlight egg hunt. The event is totally free to the community.
Summer Registration opens March 31, and she is finalizing all the programs that will be offered. She said the pool is looking at job applications for summer staff. A new sponsorship offer for businesses is being worked on, one being where businesses can have their team logo on the back of teams’ shirts, and an option this year businesses can sponsor fence signs at ballparks so if interested contact the rec department. She said a financial assistance program is available for businesses to sponsor families in need, they can contribute to the financial assistance program helping city residents only. She reached out to other communities if they wanted to help aid their residents and she noted the Village of Ridgeway contributed up to $1000 and the Town of Dodgeville $2500.
Library Director Carrie Portz gave an update on the library renovation and expansion project. She wanted to confirm a change order from the Special Council Meeting on March 11 that the project is on time and on budget. The special meeting was for change orders associated with additional structural support, required modifications to electrical service, and elevator modernization total of $181,442. When combined with previous change orders, these unforeseen costs total 62% of the contingency fund which is included in the $8.95 million project budget. To note, contingency monies for change orders fall under the total project budget and were planned for this project.
She expects the contingency fund to reach 82% with forthcoming change orders. Updated budget figures will be shared each month.
Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Emily Wolfe Reported absentee ballots for the upcoming election are being received. Early voting will begin March 24 at City Hall. On election day April 7, in-person voting will happen at the Iowa County Law Enforcement Building from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. She mentioned the annual audit is currently taking place, pet licensing is due on March 31, and reminded the Council with the election on Tuesday, April 7, the City Council Regular Meeting will be held the next day on April 8 beginning at 5:30 in the Administration Building.
In New Business, the Council Approved the renewal contract for text messaging with American Marketing & Publishing LLC for $1,350 for text messaging alerts.
They also Approved the Iowa County Soccer League Spring Contract for 2026 running from March 28 through June 21, 2026, and for Fall from August 8 through November 21, 2026, at Harris Park for $3,000 per season.
And the Council Approved the hiring of an additional full-time officer position for the Dodgeville Police Department. One officer was previously approved; this approval is for an additional full-time officer. Being pro-active, Chief Wilhelm said he currently has two excellent candi-
dates and with the 18-week (720 hour) Law Enforcement Academy beginning in June, followed by 8 weeks of field training, the likely start date for both officers would be late 2026 or early 2027. By having two officers go through training, and the chance of another officer possibly resigning or retiring, this puts him and his department in a better position. According to the DOJ, they recommend 2.8 officers per 1000 people and Dodgeville currently sits at 2.15 per 1000 people. Two officers would put them closer to the DOJ recommendation at 2.5.
At the start of the meeting the Consent Agenda was Approved, and similar to the previous City Council meeting earlier in March, with warm weather approaching, another round of Special Event Licenses were Approved for the following events: Rabbit Show hosted by the Wisconsin Polish Rabbit Club on Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19,
2026 at Ley Pavilion; Ride Safe Event hosted by Iowa County Emergency Management on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13; The Dodgeville Lions Antique Sale and Flea Market hosted by Dodgeville Lions Club June 12 through June 14, and August 21 through August 23.
Also Approved were Temporary Alcohol Beverage Licenses for the Dodgeville Diamond Club Youth Tournament hosted by The Dodgeville Diamond Club on May 22 through May 24, and on July 10 through July 12.
Approved also was the Approval of Minutes from March 3, 2026, Approval of Minutes from Special Council Meeting on March 11, 2026, and the Approval of Claims as follows.
General $393,338.63
Water $20,192.84
Sewer $54,975.44
Total $468,506.91