Benchmark Analytics police software procurement
At a glance
- What: Dispute over whether software for early intervention with officers (captioned "Benchmark") can be bought without a competitive bid.
- Where it stands: Raised first on October 13, 2026 by Alderwoman Notariano at the Committee of the Whole (about 33 minutes) and again on October 20; no ordinance or vote.
- Next: Watch for a purchase or ordinance if the administration moves ahead.
Positions
- Alderman Hanauer said the vendor was described as sole-source although competitors exist, and that this would break procurement rules.
- Alderwoman Notariano said sole-source does not mean no one else sells a product, that the purchasing agent determines it in writing, and that the software was competitively bid through a federal (GSA) contract the city can use.
Committee debate (October 13, 2026)
- Alderwoman Notariano proposed funding an early-warning and officer-support program at $75,000 per year (the vendor said the price rises beyond $100,000 per year after year end), arguing it was left out of this year's budget and that she could not see police spending to reallocate money.
- The police chief said the department already has employee assistance, peer support and a gym, and is seeking a grant for wellness software. He said integrating with the city's timekeeping system could cost about $250,000 and total cost $350,000-$400,000; Notariano said the vendor told her integration is included.
- Alderman Hanauer said choosing software is an administration function and raised the bid threshold; the corporation counsel said the purchasing agent decides sole-source questions. A sharp exchange followed on council oversight versus the strong-mayor system.
- Alderman Williams and Alderman Cox said they support officer wellness but want spending questioned and done properly.
Sources
- Video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=A_-YH7zwsog (October 13, 2026 committee meeting; uploaded human-made captions)
- Video: https://youtube.com/watch?v=3yjQHJldwks (auto-captions; names and numbers may be misheard)
- Meeting agenda: City Council & Zoning Meeting - October 20, 2026
Discussion time
About 37 minutes across 2 meetings (from transcript timestamps; approximate).
| Meeting | Minutes |
|---|---|
| 2026-10-20 - City Council | 4 |
| 2026-10-13 - Committee of the Whole | 33 |
Log
- 2026-10-13 - Committee of the Whole — About 33 minutes of debate during the vehicle ordinance on funding, integration costs and sole-source procurement; no vote.
- 2026-10-20 - City Council — About four minutes of sharp exchange between Hanauer and Notariano.