Public Safety Committee — Minutes

Minutes of the June 4, 2026 meeting of the Sawyer County Public Safety Committee of the Sawyer County Board of Supervisors Board Room; Sawyer County Voting Committee Members Present: Others Present: Ron Buckholtz Mike Markgren John Froemel Marc Helwig Liz Klein Chaz Ann Olson Jeff Hoehne Bryan Deyo Kristi Kare Marshal Savitski Sheriff Mrotek Sari Torstenson Jim Evans Marge Kelsey Greg Pelletier Mike Woller Call to Order –Chair Buckholtz called the meeting to order at 9:00 am. Roll Call taken. Quorum was met. Certification of Compliance with the open meeting law was met. Meeting Agenda- Set Public Comment – None Minutes from the previous meeting dated: May 7, 2026 Motion to approve made by: Mr. Evans Second by: Mr. Savitski Motion carried without negative vote. Radio Tower Update— Mr. Pelletier from GenComm updated the committee on the radio towers. The concrete is poured at the Draper site and will cure 28 days before the steel and building are installed. The Birchwood site is next for concrete. The Meadowbrook site estimate has been increased to cover the battery backup for the Winter tower site, accommodate additional steel to support multiple dishes for telecom companies and $40,000 to bring electricity to the site- the new estimate is $374,000 and will go before the Finance committee for review and action. If approved by Zoning and Finance that tower could still be built in 2026. The WOJB tower needs $90,000 of additional reinforcement to bring it up to code for additional weight to be added. The TGB attorney is rewriting a lease and reviewing options that will be discussed in upcoming Public Works Ad-hoc meetings. Clerk of Courts/Register in Probate Reports - Ms. Kelsey presented a written report and updated the committee on the open Clerk of Criminal Court position. Sheriff’s Department Report – Sheriff Mrotek will recognize Law Enforcement and a citizen for their actions involving a homicide in Radisson at the June County Board meeting. Patrol Report – Chief Deyo reviewed the written patrol report: there were 723 calls in May, 34 traffic citations issued and 4 crashes- 2 with injury, zero deaths. Jail Report – Lt. Woller reviewed a written jail report for May with arrest data by race and gender. There was an average of 51 inmates incarcerated with a 62% unemployment rate at the time of booking, 0 on electronic monitoring. Dispatch and Emergency Management – Written reports were provided. Ms. Ripczinski is at a training. Emergency Management- The Department assisted with 2 missing persons searches, received a grant to assist local government agencies with purchasing radios and equipment to transition to WISCOM 800, will cohost National Night Out with Tamarack Health, and will assist with Cops n’ Bobbers. Code Enforcement- Ms. Olson reviewed her written report for the committee on dog licenses and admissions to the pound. No TRH violations were reported in May and 13 potential Human Health Hazard Complaints were investigated. Child Support Department Report – No report Emergency Services— Mr. Froemel reviewed his written report on EMR training grant funding ending, staff using ReaLiving resources, EMS calls and run times. The Department received positive feedback on recognizing strokes, resulting in positive outcomes for many patients. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Update – The TAD Grant initial application was submitted requesting $100,000 for Diversion and $150,000 for Treatment Court. Judges Isham and Smith recognized Melinda Hoyos for excellent work with students and families to reduce truancy. Board Appointed Committee Updates—None Correspondence, Reports from Conferences and Meetings— None Future Agenda Items – Radio Towers Meeting Date/Time – The next meeting of the Public Safety Committee will be July 2, at 9:00 am in the Board Room. Meeting adjourned at 9:33 am Minutes recorded by Liz Klein, Sawyer County Clerk