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Price County Law Enforcement Committee Minutes Date: May 7, 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. Roll Call Members Present: Robert Kopisch, Larry Palecek, Patricia Stephan, Dennis Wartgow Members Excused: Jenifer Baratka Others Present: Amy Casey, County Coroner; Mindy Dabler, County Humane Officer; Robert Hawn, County Chief Deputy; Alexis Nash, District Attorney, Brian Schmidt, County Sheriff; Nick Trimner, County Administrator Public Hearings (times are approximate): 1. 9:00 a.m.: Section 223- 44.1: HABITUAL ANIMAL OFFENDER AND PREMISES; The Price County Board of Supervisors ordains the amendment of Price County Ordinance Sec. 223-44.1, “Habitual Animal Offender,” of the Code of Ordinances. : Palecek opened the public hearing at 9:01 a.m. Waldemar Madsen, City of Phillips, publicly commented about the proposed ordinance. Ginny Strobl, Town of Georgetown, publicly commented about the ordinance change. Palecek closed the public hearing at 9:06 a.m. 2. 9:02 a.m.: Section 223 -19: DEFINITIONS; The Price County Board of Supervisors ordains the amendment of a portion of Price County Ordinance Sec. 223 -19, “Definitions,” of the Code of Ordinances: Palecek opened the public hearing at 9:06 a.m. There were no public comments. Palecek closed the public hearing at 9:07 a.m. Items For Discussion and Possible Action 1. Public Comment and Communications: None. 2. Meeting Minutes – April 9, 2026 Motion Wartgow/Kopisch to approve the April 9, 2026, meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried. 3. Coroner – Department Report: Price County Coroner Amy Casey introduced herself as the newly appointed coroner, taking office on either April 9 th or 10th, 2026. There were eight reported deaths, no autopsies, and several autopsy record requests. Discussion on coroner deputies. 4. District Attorney – Department Report: Price County District Attorney Alexis Nash introduced herself, and her office start date was April 6, 2026. Discussion on reports, updates and agenda items for future meetings. 5. Clerk of Circuit Court – Department Report: No new updates. The office is fully staffed. The clerk put in her non-candidacy notice and there will be a newly elected Clerk of Court in 2027. 6. Sheriff’s Office – Department Report – Brian Schmidt: Price County Humane Officer Dabler gave a presentation on the Dangerous Animal Ordinance, and it is on file. There has been a rise of reported incidents involving dangerous animals with multiple citations for biting that have belonged to owners at the same residence. Discussion on the process for issuing dog bite citations and proven level three bites (one to three punctures from a single bite) on a scale from level one through six which are proven from mandatory reporters such as hospitals. Discussion on the process for quarantining an animal. a. New Ordinances i. Ordinance to Amend Price County Ordinance Section 223-44.1: Habitual Animal Offender: Motion Wartgow/Kopisch to approve the Ordinance to Amend Price County Ordinance Section 223- 44.1, and to forward it to the Price County Board of Supervisors for Consideration: Habitual Animal Offender. Discussion held. Motion Kopsich/Wartgow to amend line 15 of the ordinance to strike the word “may” and add the word “shall.” Motion carried. Motion Wartgow/Kopisch to approve the Ordinance to Amend Price County Ordinance Section 223-44.1 as amended, and to forward it to the Price County Board of Supervisors for Consideration: Habitual Animal Offender. Motion Carried. ii. Ordinance to Amend Price County Ordinance 223-19: Definitions: Motion Kopisch/Stephan to approve the Ordinance to Amend Price County Ordinance 223- 19: Definitions, and forward it to the Price County Board of Supervisors for Consideration. Motion Carried. b. Equipment Update i. Radio Project : The committee discussed the Bug Tussel project, and continuing the project with or without Bug Tussel . The original timeline for beginning the project was for 18 months and there has been no official start date yet, after two years. c. Staffing Update: Deputy Hohensee has returned from his leave to Eastern Europe, and he will return to work after his military leave is utilized. An individual named Dawson is slated to begin work soon at the Sheriff’s office. New recruit Boggs is scheduled to compete his schooling in September as a part-time Sheriff’s Deputy. d. Humane Officer / Animal Control : See report above; specifically, the presentation given by Humane Officer Dabler. e. K-9 Units: The Canine Unit is performing well. Canine Dixon is scheduled for recertification in Michigan towards the end of May . When a K -9 officer retires, their canine retires with them. f. Rec Officer: Preparations are being made for the boating season. g. Jail Update: There are 16 inmates currently and one on EMP. 7. Committee Vouchers: Motion Kopisch/Stephan to approve the Law Enforcement vouchers in the amount of $45,260.82 for Sheriff and Jail, April, 2026; and $4,889.13 for COC, Coroner and District Attorney, April, 2026. Motion carried. 8. Date of Next Meeting: June 4, 2026 9. Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 10:02 a.m. by Larry Palecek, Committee Chairperson. Respectfully Submitted by Meredith Hueckman, County Clerk