In a recent meeting held on July 11, 2025, the Sawyer County administration discussed the effectiveness and future of their current records management software, NextRequest. The software, which has been in use for about a year, has come under scrutiny due to its high costs and operational inefficiencies.

The county is facing a decision on whether to renew the software for $5,000, with additional fees that could bring the total cost to approximately $9,000 annually. Concerns were raised about the software's functionality, particularly regarding its online payment portal, which has been described as a "bait and switch" due to unexpected setup fees.

During the meeting, it was noted that the software has not significantly improved the tracking of public records requests. The sheriff's department, which handles the majority of these requests, reported dissatisfaction with the system, citing complications in workflow and privacy concerns. Other departments, such as Health and Human Services, also expressed frustration, indicating that the software has added unnecessary steps to their processes.

The discussion highlighted that many staff members are opting to handle requests manually rather than using the software, which has led to a lack of accurate tracking of time spent on these requests. As a result, the anticipated benefits of the software—such as improved efficiency and revenue generation—have not materialized.

The meeting concluded with a consensus that the county should consider discontinuing the use of NextRequest. Instead, they may revert to a manual system where requests are tracked through email and departmental folders. This approach could save the county significant funds while still allowing for the monitoring of public records requests.

As the administration weighs its options, the decision on whether to renew the software will need to be made within the next 60 days. The outcome of this discussion could have lasting implications for how Sawyer County manages public records and allocates its budget in the future.