Kimberly Ends a Long Policing Chapter
The Village of Kimberly just made a bold move that’s grabbing attention across Outagamie County. After three decades of relying on the Fox Valley Metro Police Department, the board of trustees voted—without a single objection—to switch law enforcement services to the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office. The deal was sealed in a closed-door session on August 4, 2025, and while it might seem like just another local government decision, the reasons run deeper—and the fallout stretches beyond village lines.
Money led the charge. Sticking with Fox Valley Metro would have cost the village just shy of $1.66 million every year. Outsourcing those services to the sheriff comes in over $279,000 cheaper—about $1.38 million—all told. When you crunch the numbers, that puts $98 back into each household’s pocket annually. It’s a tough pill for those who value community ties, but for Village President Chuck Kuen and the board, that much cash was too much to overlook, especially as the town looks down the barrel of rising expenses and aging infrastructure.
Why the Change and What Comes Next?
Let’s break it down: Kimberly’s leaders have been sweating the long-term math. The cost of staying with Fox Valley Metro keeps creeping up—fuelled by the possibility of pricey upgrades (like a new evidence storage room) and the growing needs of neighboring Little Chute. With both villages strapped to the same police department, costs from one tend to spill over to the other. Kimberly decided it was time to pull the plug instead of being dragged along by rising rates.
Even with a three-year notice legally required to ditch Fox Valley Metro, officials say they'll push to cut ties sooner. It’s not just a matter of numbers, though. You could hear the regret in President Kuen's voice—he called it a 'heavy heart' moment, knowing some officers who patrolled the streets for decades will no longer be part of the picture.
So, what’s Kimberly doing with all that freed-up cash? For starters, the village plans to whittle down its debt and get rid of old lead pipes—a problem plaguing lots of older communities. It’s a sign the board is aiming for smart, visible improvements (and probably wants villagers to notice the police contract change is paying off in more ways than one).
On the other side of the split, Little Chute—now left to foot the Fox Valley Metro bill on its own—finds itself at a crossroads. Without Kimberly’s contribution, the financial strain lands squarely on Little Chute’s lap. They’ll have to figure out how to handle police coverage, whether that means beefing up with new hires, looking for another partner, or rethinking their whole setup.
How did Kimberly get here? Months of meetings, budget breakdowns, and community surveys. Even though plenty of locals voiced support for keeping Fox Valley Metro, the village board chose to prioritize financial stability. It’s a clear signal that tight budgets are pushing towns to rethink old alliances—even when those decisions hit home hard.
