Mayville Seeking To Use Beaver Dam Municipal Court

(Mayville) Mayville is looking to have all municipal court matters handled in Beaver Dam. In recent weeks, the city’s police department met to discuss the matter with Beaver Dam’s police chief and municipal court clerk.

Mayville Police Chief Jim Ketchem says there is a onetime cost of around $1,500 dollars to purchase needed software in order to join Beaver Dam’s municipal court. He noted that the software requires a $765 per-year maintenance fee.

Ketchem says there are several benefits for the city including reduced fines, an additional $5 for each citation and flexible court schedules. Mayville could see $3,000 to $5,000 extra in revenues each year from the additional $5 for citations.

Ketchem says Mayville could also save close to $5,000 in attorney fees because Beaver Dam’s municipal court settles a majority of their citations due to the lower fines. Currently, all municipal ordinance or traffic infractions are handled at the Dodge County Circuit Court.

Alderman Bob Smith says Mayville is being asked to look elsewhere to handle such matters. Ketchem says the city’s attorney will be in contact with their counterpart in Beaver Dam to begin work on an ordinance. He says that Mayville could join Beaver Dam’s municipal court sometime this fall or early next year.