Monona welcomes new police chief
Mitchell Jipson is the new Monona Police Chief. (Photo courtesy of city of Monona)
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
Monona’s new police chief, Mitchell Jipson, was introduced at the Dec. 15 city council meeting.
Jipson said he’s been in law enforcement for going on 10 years.
“Started out in Black Hawk County, went to UNI campus police and then went to Guttenberg, then Peosta and now I’m here. I’ve done a bit of hopping around, but all to advance my career,” he shared.
The new chief has attended special schools for training in areas such as crisis intervention and drug recognition, and he’s also been a taser and OC (pepper spray) instructor.
“I’m looking forward to serving you guys and being your next police chief,” Jipson said.
As chief, Jipson will be tasked with bringing two new full-time officers aboard. Officer Jacob Dougherty submitted his resignation to the city last month, and at last week’s meeting, probationary officer Sydney Alber also submitted her resignation, effective Dec. 12.
Jipson said he already has two certified applicants, both with over 10 years of experience.
Council member Preston Landt was optimistic about the candidates as well. Their qualifications would likely require the city to up its max pay, however.
“So we would need to go through and re-visit that and figure it out,” he told the council.
Landt felt the longevity they could provide would be worth it.
“Since I’ve been on the council, I can’t even tell you how many officers we’ve hired and sent to the academy for $22,000 and paid their wages and paid a reserve to fill in while they were at the academy. Then they get certified and leave and go to another town, and then we hire another person and do $22,000 again. We just keep going through that process,” he said.
Center Street project moving forward
Also at the Dec. 15 meeting, the council agreed to move forward with a street project on Center Street from Main Street easterly to the railroad tracks during summer 2026. Work is estimated to cost $859,212, and will include replacing the street, sidewalk, water and sewer lines and more.
Additionally, the council reviewed and approved an agreement for professional services with Fehr Graham for the proposed street reconstruction project.
MCED shares projected 2026 budget
Monona Chamber and Economic Development, Inc. (MCED) Director Ardie Kuhse went over her projected 2026 budget. MCED is requesting the same $16,000 contribution from the city’s fiscal year 2026/2027 budget—something the council will consider during its upcoming budget meetings.
Kuhse said technology upgrades to the office computer and printer will be a major line item in the coming year. She also hopes fundraising efforts can continue, with over $3,000 raised in the past year to offset costs.
“I try very hard to be frugal,” Kuhse told the council. “When you have to stick to a tight budget, it’s hard to make too many changes.”
