Sheboygan committee approves $6,500-per-person leadership training contract with Arbinger Institute

The Sheboygan City Finance & Personnel Committee voted unanimously to authorize city officials to execute a professional services agreement with the Arbinger Institute for a year‑long leadership training program intended for department heads and managers.

Administrators said the program — priced at roughly $6,500 per participant — includes classroom coursework, six one‑on‑one coaching sessions per participant and materials for future in‑house training. Administrator Bradley told the committee the initial contract covers 32 seats and that the city intends to roll the program out to all management over the next two years, then train city staff to deliver the curriculum internally.

City staff and Police Chief Semple defended the selection and sole‑source procurement, saying Arbinger provides a cohesive model that complements training already offered through the International Association of Chiefs of Police curriculum and local providers. “The material is really strong and really of value, especially in public organizations,” Chief Semple said, noting the program’s added coaching and follow‑up work compared with single‑session courses.

Alders pressed staff on three main issues: the choice of a sole‑source contract rather than a competitive bid, how the city will measure success, and whether the contract would divert funds from other required training. Bradley said the procurement route was allowed under Wisconsin state statute and the city’s fiscal policy, and that funding would come from existing training budgets or contingency funds so as not to displace mandatory certification courses.

On measurement, staff said the most realistic early indicators will be participant feedback, retention and internal supervisory reports, as well as existing monthly metrics such as citizen complaint counts. Chief Semple and other managers highlighted potential long‑term savings if turnover among high‑cost positions — notably sworn officers and certified firefighters — is reduced; staff estimated the fully loaded cost of onboarding a police officer at roughly $60,000–$80,000, a figure alder members cited when weighing the program’s return on investment.

Alder Perella said she supported leadership development but sought clearer evidence that Arbinger’s model was uniquely suited to the city’s needs; staff responded that the city has trialed parts of the material and that Arbinger’s cohesive curriculum and train‑the‑trainer pathway made it the best alignment for the city’s goals.

The committee approved the resolution by voice vote. Staff said they will provide a post‑training memo and participant feedback to council, but cautioned that much of the evaluation will be qualitative and that some personnel data are protected.