Oshkosh approved a one-year Flock renewal 5–2, then rescinded it 7–0 the next day

What the record establishes

The police chief’s memo for the April 21, 2026 meeting says the department contracted with Flock Group Inc. in 2023 for 20 cameras under a two-year agreement funded by a state law enforcement grant, and in 2025 renewed for one year with a subscription for six additional cameras. It describes the proposed renewal as two years at $163,500, or $81,750 a year from the department’s operating budget, and recommends approval without formal bidding as a sole-source purchase. [1]

The April 21 minutes record that a council member asked whether multiple images of a vehicle create a pattern or heat map of its movements. Asked whether a Flock representative was available, the chief introduced a cybersecurity expert, whom the minutes record saying the system does not create a pattern of life. A speaker the minutes describe as “another representative from Flock” said it takes a picture of a plate at a moment in time and does not create a heat map. [2]

A motion to amend the resolution to a one-year renewal passed 6–1. The amended resolution then passed 5–2. The resolution as adopted authorizes a one-year renewal agreement “for $163,500,” appropriated annually at $81,750; the retained record does not reconcile those two figures. [2] [1]

At the April 22, 2026 special meeting, the minutes record the chief saying his staff informed him that information a Flock representative provided about the technology’s ability to create a heat map of travel patterns was inaccurate, and that he now recommended rescinding the contract. Resolution 26-196 says the police department learned additional information that morning which City staff believes “appears to be inconsistent with certain statements made by Flock representatives” on April 21. It rescinds Resolution 26-164 and directs staff to reject the agreement and notify Flock Group Inc. that the city will not proceed. It carried 7–0. [3] [4]

What remains unresolved

The records do not show when the city notified Flock, whether or when the cameras stopped operating or were removed, or whether any payment was owed after the rejection. The minutes record the chief’s account of the heat-map information; they do not include the information itself. Two council members spoke of forming a commission, one calling it a community oversight commission; the retained records show no action creating one. [3] [4]

Sources

1. Oshkosh Common Council April 21, 2026 final agenda packetPDF p.244, police chief’s memo on Res 26-164; p.245, Res 26-164 as adopted (“CARRIED AS AMENDED 5-2”)Source URL: https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/WebLink/ElectronicFile.aspx?docid=1241397&dbid=0&repo=Laserfiche
2. Oshkosh Common Council April 21, 2026 minutesPDF p.10, questions on heat maps and pattern of life; p.11, amendment 6–1 and approval 5–2 roll callsSource URL: https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/WebLink/ElectronicFile.aspx?docid=1245946&dbid=0&repo=Laserfiche
3. Oshkosh Common Council April 22, 2026 special meeting minutesPDF p.1, Res 26-196 and police chief’s statement; p.3, council statements and 7–0 roll callSource URL: https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/WebLink/ElectronicFile.aspx?docid=1245947&dbid=0&repo=Laserfiche
4. Oshkosh Common Council April 22, 2026 final agenda packetPDF pp.4–5, Res 26-196 (“CARRIED 7-0”), recitals and resolved clausesSource URL: https://www.oshkoshwi.gov/WebLink/ElectronicFile.aspx?docid=1241399&dbid=0&repo=Laserfiche