Madison alders pass $453 million budget for 2026, with the police monitor again under scrutiny

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – Madison officially has a budget for 2026, but its adoption included last-minute drama over an embattled office. 

In the days before adopting the final budget, three alders proposed defunding the office of the Independent Police Monitor. 

The office has struggled to get off the ground, as has the Police Civilian Oversight Board. Both were designed to provide civilian oversight to the police department and handle complaints. They were officially created in 2020 after years of discussion. 

Robin Copley was hired as the Independent Police Monitor in 2022. At one point she went on medical leave, stalling the office’s progress. The office came out with a complaint form in 2024. 

Last year during the budget process, city leaders questioned the success of the Office of the Independent Monitor, often referred to as the OIM. At one point, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway even suggested axing the office altogether. 

Most recently in October, Copley resigned, citing severe health issues. That stalls work for the office again. 

At Tuesday’s common council meeting, Alder Isadore Knox Jr. proposed defunding the Office of the Independent Monitor and moving the $400,000 budget to help pay for body cameras at the Madison Police Department. Specifically, that money would’ve hired staff to maintain the cameras. 

“As we know, there’s been a history of ineffectiveness with this office, the OIM and the supporting commission,” Knox Jr. said at the meeting. “And I know this because I’ve served on this commission for two years, and I’ve served with the current chair Maia Pearson.” 

Pearson defended the Police Civilian Oversight Board, saying it can take a lot of time to get something like this up and running. 

“You’re asking an office and a board, of civilians, who are volunteering their time, to work with an office from scratch to create this mechanism to support the community,” Pearson said.

Ultimately, that move to defund the office of the independent monitor failed in a 3-17 vote. 

Alders passed the 2026 city budget, to the tune of $453 million. It includes money to go toward the new men’s homeless shelter, staff at the Imagination Center, and nine new paramedics.