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October 18, 2026 · Wausau, WI · Calls to end

Wausau, Wisconsin committee gets closed-door legal advice Oct. 19 on ending the city's Flock contract

The City of Wausau's Public Health & Safety Committee agenda for Monday, Oct. 19, 2026 (5:15 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers) lists "City of Wausau use of Flock Cameras" for discussion and possible action, followed by a closed session under Wisconsin Statute § 19.85(1)(g) to confer with legal counsel on strategy for litigation the city "is or is likely to become involved" in "regarding termination of contract with Flock Group Inc." The committee may reconvene in open session to act on closed-session items. Wausau Pilot & Review reported that the agenda does not say whether Flock has threatened legal action, that the item was requested by District 5 Alder Andrew Wiskowski, that police are expected to present on the program, and that the packet includes no staff recommendation or legal opinion. Wausau pays Flock $50,000 a year for 20 cameras under a five-year, $250,000 agreement the City Council approved in October 2023. It runs through Dec. 15, 2028 and renews automatically for two years unless either side gives notice at least 30 days before then. Section 11.16 lets the city terminate for non-appropriation "with thirty (30) days written notice without penalty or other cost"; Police Chief Matthew Barnes has said he reads the clause as covering the city's ability to pay rather than a choice to stop paying, and Finance Committee Chair Michael Martens said defunding could invite costly litigation. Mayor Doug Diny's proposed 2027 budget includes the $50,000 payment. The Finance Committee meets Oct. 20 to finish its budget recommendation, and the council is expected to adopt the budget in November. Alders Terry Kilian and Andrew Wiskowski have said they would support leaving the payment out of the budget, Alder Tom Neal asked that the cameras come off the budget, and Alder Matt Hoenecke said he cannot support the technology. A memo from a Wausau resident in the committee packet includes a draft resolution to keep Flock out of future budgets, send termination and non-renewal notices, switch off the cameras and end data sharing, and require council approval after a public hearing before any department acquires plate readers or similar surveillance technology. A committee discussion is not a council decision.

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