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Price County Law Enforcement Committee Meeting Minutes Date: September 3, 2026 Time: 9:00 a.m. Place: Courthouse County Board Room 101; 126 Cherry St; Phillips , WI 54555 Call to Order: Meeting called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Larry Palecek, Committee Chairperson. R oll Call Members Present: Jenifer Baratka, Robert Kopisch, Larry Palecek, Dennis Wartgow Members Excused: Patricia Stephan Also Present: Brian Ernst, County Chairman; Robert Hawn, Chief Deputy; Brian Schmidt, County Sheriff; Nick Trimner, County Administrator I tems For Discussion and Possible Action 1. Public Comment: None. Communications: None. 2. M eeting Minutes – August 13, 2026: Motion Kopisch/Wartgow to approve the August 13, 2026, meeting minutes. Motion carried. 3. C oroner – Department Report: None. 4. D istrict Attorney – Department Report: None. 5. C lerk of Circuit Court – Department Report: There was one Deputy Clerk of Courts Resignation. The Office has been busy and a large three-day trial is scheduled soon. 6. Sh eriff’s Office – Department Report a. Amend Ordinance: Chapter 398. Parks and Forests; Article II. General Regulations ; S ection 398- 19. Cleaning and refuse: The ordinance amendment was presented and discussion was held. The Sheriff answered questions. Motion Kopisch/Wartgow to proceed with the amendment to the ordinance, sending it to a public hearing at the next Law Enforcement meeting. Motion carried. b. Equipment Update i. Radio Equipment/Technology Project: The Board of Superv isors passed a resolution to accept TUSA Consulting Services for phase one of the radio equipment/technology projects. TUSA will be in Price County the week of September 27th and will meet with County Officials and the Law Enforcement Committee in an open meeting s etting. The contract is being rev iewed with Co rporation Co unsel and is expected to be signed soon, after some changes were suggested. A meeting between TUSA and a group of community stakeholders was suggested including schools, EMS, fire departments, hospitals, law enforcement, just to name a few. Tusa will offer multiple plans and options to both the Law Enforcement Committee and Stakeholders group and give them recommendations. The goal is to finish three phases of consulting by January 1, 2027, and to begin the construction and/or plan in late 2027. c. Staffing Update: An officer is back from military leave currently but will go back on leave for a couple of days. The Sheriff’s Office is one deputy short now and is interviewing. Pending retirements, Human Resources will post for a Patrol Lieutenant. HR will post for a Chief Deputy opening in November. The Jail inspection was completed, and the Board Chair may get the report soon. The jail passed and historically does well every year. d. Humane Officer/Animal Control: The humane officer has been busy with animal control calls. She answers other law enforcement calls as well. The Committee would like to invite Catkins to give an update to the Board at a future meeting. e. K-9 Units: Canine Dixon will retire with Lieutenant Joe Janak and they have consulted with the people who donated money for Dixon. f. Rec Officer: The Recreation Officer has been patrolling lakes, and the boating statistics will be forthcoming. g. Jail Update: The Price County Jail has not been housing people outside of the County at present, and the population has been consistently around 19-20. Additional Update: In the next few weeks, the Sheriff’s Office will reach out to fire chiefs to set up a meeting to discuss equipment updates. 7. Committee Vouchers: Motion Kopisch/Baratka to approve the August 2026 Law Enforcement vouchers in the amount of $63,535.08 for Sheriff/Jail; and $27,388.61 for COC/Coroner/DA. Motion carried. 8. Date of Next Meeting: Tentatively rescheduled to September 29, 2026. 9. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 9:37 a.m. by Larry Palecek, Committee Chairperson. Respectfully Submitted by Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk