Public Safety Committee — Minutes

Minutes of the May 7, 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 Marge Kelsey Marshal Savitski (late) Sheriff Mrotek Sari Torstenson Jim Evans Nicole Ripczinski Greg Ripczinski Mike Woller Call to Order – Clerk Klein 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. Election of Committee Chair & Vice Chair—Mr. Helwig nominated Mr. Buckholtz for Chair. Mr. Buckholtz thanked the committee. No other nominations being received, voting proceeded by secret ballot. Ballots were collected by Deputy Clerk Bruce, tallied by Clerks Klein and Bruce, and Mr. Buckholtz was unanimously elected Chair of the Public Safety Committee. Mr. Buckholtz nominated Mr. Helwig for Vice Chair. No other nominations being received, voting proceeded by secret ballot. Ballots were collected by Deputy Clerk Bruce, tallied by Clerks Klein and Bruce, and Mr. Helwig was unanimously elected Vice Chair of the Public Safety Committee. The meeting was turned over to Chairman Buckholtz. Meeting Agenda- Set Public Comment – None Minutes from the previous meeting dated: April 2, 2026 Motion to approve made by: Mr. Evans Second by: Mr. Hoehne Motion carried without negative vote. Clerk of Courts/Register in Probate Reports - A written report was provided. Ms. Kelsey updated the committee on filling the vacant Criminal Clerk position. Sheriff’s Department Report – Sheriff Mrotek informed the committee that next week is National Corrections Officers’ Week and the following week National Law Enforcement Officers’ Week will be observed. Patrol Report – Lt. Ripczinski reviewed the written report: there were 778 calls in April, 50 traffic citations issued and 84 crashes to date- 34 with injury, zero deaths. Jail Report – Lt. Woller reviewed a written jail report for April with arrest data by race and gender. There was an average of 62 inmates incarcerated with a 70% unemployment rate at the time of booking, 0 on electronic monitoring. Dispatch and Emergency Management – Dispatch- Ms. Ripczinski summarized the written reports. A quarterly dispatch meeting was held, two dispatchers became Field Training Officers making a total of five on the department. A Peer Support Team is being assembled. The department would like to thank Maintenance for updating the breakroom and Back the Blue for the purchase of new furniture and a refrigerator for the breakroom. Emergency Management- A written report was provided. An annual update of the County Emergency Operations Plan is underway. LEPC met April 15 and is planning an open house in July. A Courthouse Emergency Operations Plan is being updated and radio project updates were provided at the Fire Association meeting. 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 April and four potential Human Health Hazard Complaints were investigated and closed with no finding of hazard. Child Support Department Report – A written report was provided. Emergency Services— Mr. Froemel reviewed his written report on EMS calls and run times. Mental Health calls are increasing, as well as calls for Adult and Child Protective Services Towers- Mr. Markgren updated the committee that the WOJB tower agreement is pending. The Bug Tussel tower in Meadowbrook has stalled and the county is looking to build a tower instead. Mr. Markgren reviewed the projected cost of $250,000 and recommended passing a resolution to fund the project at that amount with the idea that some funding will be available from other sources to cover part of the expense. Leasing space to a cellular phone company is a potential revenue source. A motion to approve Resolution 2026-____ Meadowbrook Public Safety Radio Tower Upgrade Project at $250,000 contingent upon approval by Zoning was made by: Mr. Helwig Second by: Mr. Savitski Motion carried without negative vote. Criminal Justice Coordinating Council Update – No update Board Appointed Committee Updates—None Correspondence, Reports from Conferences and Meetings— None Future Agenda Items – Towers, Invite GenComm to June 4 meeting Meeting Date/Time – The next meeting of the Public Safety Committee will be June 4, at 9:00 am in the Board Room. Meeting adjourned at 9:25 am Minutes recorded by Liz Klein, Sawyer County Clerk