Mazomanie and Black Earth begin the process of a combined PD

On June 5th, the idea of a combined police force for the Villages of Black Earth and Mazomanie moved a step closer to reality, as police committees from both villages met for the first time to open the discussion. Representing Black Earth were trustees Mitch Hodson, Pam Louis-Reindl, and village president Terry Moyer. For Mazomanie there were trustees Justin Martinez, Ray Schlamp, Natalie Beil, village administrator Peter Huebner, and village president Garry Harrop. Captain Kerry Porter was there from the Dane County Sheriff’s Department. Both villages came in agreeing on the number of deputies—three—and which ones: James Kartman, Nate Teuscher, and Alex Gonzalez. “Between the two villages, you have excellent deputies,” said Porter. The villages will share a 2nd shift deputy and guarantee two deputies in service every day. Costs will be split by the villages, with each one contracting for one and half deputies, for a total of three. Porter provided a breakdown of projected contract costs for both villages. “Our contracts aren’t profit-oriented,” he said. The combined plan saves Black Earth about $70,000, compared to the cost of two deputies, for a total cost around $270,000 a year. Given Deputy Kartman’s experience, he is the most expensive line item, at close to $85 per hour, compared to $67 per hour as an average for the other deputies. Vehicle costs, which will change depending on what the villages choose to do for the number of vehicles, come to about $25,000. For Mazomanie, they can save likewise about $75,000, with a contract that comes in at $240,000. Deputy Teuscher, while not as costly as Deputy Kartman, still comes in at $75 an hour. Vehicle costs were also projected at $25,000. The joint committee met again in mid-June to work on the contracts.