[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6502041,"mediaKeyId","5609066-e4399ab613eb8111de6ef33120bddbfa","parentId",5609066,"title","County executives preview biennial budget: proposed court‑security cut, medical examiner savings and Clerk of Courts fee impact","audioSeconds",584,"startMs",3352000,"endMs",3936000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609066-e4399ab613eb8111de6ef33120bddbfa&start=3352&end=3936","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609066-e4399ab613eb8111de6ef33120bddbfa/thumbnail_3352000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6502041/Washington-County/Wisconsin/County-executives-preview-biennial-budget-proposed-courtsecurity-cut-medical-examiner-savings-and-Clerk-of-Courts-fee-impact","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502041-b398f62b8ab1576f62c27e2a34dbc3be/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116523&Signature=MvULMuHYLrRoocinj2fjxGrd3zzlKyXQQbPGqIWVBugdRP4Acx~jZS1IYVKmF2UocQz8Vf4tmbzZQPa5DOypexk7W3WJ1mjoZyR5nABb3TMoiKeh1k8qF8xueo4rs~KncTEC5pOKObX0b5IxS3nDJsk5DnjBxms4HOCRCF7AzHd6jtZAiHzwmgja31xJGHmPdsVvJuXIzJ6I5aByURJVelOlHTkKeh5kLOCZjXRLVo~B~0qFXk3A2FmIuyXmgLq7alSoVjZAXv3HisU2kaFuVy9eNgmhpvpBOobS3YdsxHUGKABqJAdeXWoyrG8~snKyOpVXai1Mx-Lq9ENzvh-vTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Washington County, WI ","date","2025-08-20T13:47:38.407Z","article","Chief Public Safety Officer Dave Sager and staff briefed the Public Safety Committee on three high‑level items expected in the county executive’s upcoming biennial budget proposal.

Sager said the executive is considering a $300,000 reduction to the sheriff’s office allocation for court security; the county’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council has formed a subcommittee including judges and sheriff’s staff to evaluate options and implications. Sager stressed the sheriff’s office and the court system remain priorities but said the executive’s proposal will require further committee discussion.

On the medical examiner’s budget, Sager said the county projects savings in the proposed executive budget, in part due to strong leadership in the medical examiner’s office. He noted the county is still negotiating a possible shared‑services agreement with Ozaukee County; if a shared arrangement proceeds it could yield additional savings and the option to pursue state innovation grants when available. Staff analysts (Mr. Dahl and Mr. Durer) are assisting with budget figures and policy work.

The committee also heard that Clerk of Courts staff have prepared budget figures that include an anticipated fee increase at the state level. Clerk of Courts Ms. Quicindale (as recorded) provided material showing the executive has baked a $275,000 impact into the proposed budget tied to Senate Bill 333 and companion Assembly Bill 320. Sager cautioned that, if passed, the fee increase would not take immediate effect; the bill’s effective date as described in county materials would be “the first full day after the seventh month of publication,” which could delay revenue realization.

Supervisor Newman urged caution about balancing budgets “on the backs of the employees,” reminding the committee that workforce retention is important as local governments face labor pressures.

Ending: The budget items were presented as high‑level previews; committees and subcommittees will continue to consider options and potential changes before the executive’s formal budget is released.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Safety Committee","oneSentenceSummary","Chief Public Safety Officer Dave Sager and staff briefed the Public Safety Committee on three high‑level items expected in the county executive’s upcoming biennial budget: a proposed $300,000 reduction to court security, potential medical examiner savings via shared services, and a $275,000 anticipated impact from state court‑fee legislation.","taxTitle","Washington County, Wisconsin","taxId",5137,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502046,"Committee approves PSAP grant pursuit, mobile field‑force gear and emergency debris/onboarding funds",314,2941000,3255000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609066-e4399ab613eb8111de6ef33120bddbfa&start=2941&end=3255","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609066-e4399ab613eb8111de6ef33120bddbfa/thumbnail_2941000.jpg","/articles/6502046/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Committee-approves-PSAP-grant-pursuit-mobile-fieldforce-gear-and-emergency-debrisonboarding-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502046-44ff22f39ba2c10bd290545dc4abe908/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116523&Signature=ZDBoDbM9UfS-E2vDJA2HN2T2XAKNudLKUU2adklxp9Actp~p8U1zjonU2Jgo24RPCiFxAIa76vcsAARuA-2VZ1vR-~bQb8l04uKfYeXIZyx3Y54W2jNFhttdUCPECZfieqp8aVdrhEsVnjFpWoLL~0luawDEM8Ham9LTvlmLQfICrkqVQvjHB1b-NHkXCz2iIEVvIFi~91Zx76lTihzKpoT2hbJz2ouVEvwsn4seFjJ70LAMa~~x8iFFnobtYz760-W5CtK-OX-zVD2xfUyKacYmK4UjLsuWtW2-ZZl0QyyOrU711H0mb0UUnznjpt3WNYFLc1MlxvUW65eZcz8mdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the August Washington County Public Safety Committee meeting members approved three funding and authorization items for public‑safety operations.

The committee voted to authorize the sheriff’s office to pursue the PSAP grant program for fiscal year 2026. Captain Stacer said the grant opportunity has funded prior consolidation and that this year’s application would focus on “cleanup” items such as ergonomics, training capacity, and expanded break/food storage in the dispatch center. The grant program can provide up to $750,000; Captain Stacer said final bids were not yet received and that the county would use previously allocated Hartford and Germantown funds to cover the 10% local share if needed. The motion to authorize pursuit of the PSAP grant was made by Supervisor Berg and seconded by Supervisor Newman and the motion carried.

Separately, the committee approved $56,750 from strategic priorities funds to purchase equipment for the county’s mobile field force (multi‑jurisdictional crowd control team). The sheriff described the existing team as 26 members representing multiple departments (14 sheriff’s office personnel, five from West Bend, five from Germantown, two from Hartford and one from Slinger), quarterly training, and a leader request for additional equipment. Supervisor Newman moved the funding request with a second from Supervisor Burke; the motion carried.

Finally, the committee approved use of up to $15,000 of strategic priorities funding for immediate emergency purposes related to the recent flooding. Chief Public Safety Officer Dave Sager explained the amount would be used to onboard a limited‑term employee (former emergency manager Rob Schmidt, who agreed to return) to support the county while FEMA conducts preliminary damage assessments, and to provide residents a place to take flood‑damaged debris. Supervisor Berg moved that request and Supervisor Krieger Gundrum seconded; the motion carried.

Votes at a glance:
• PSAP grant authorization — motion by Supervisor Berg; second Supervisor Newman; outcome: approved (vote recorded as voice vote; no roll‑call tally given). Description: authorization to pursue fiscal year 2026 PSAP grant (up to $750,000 grant program; local match from prior Hartford/Germantown allocations if required).
• Mobile field force equipment — motion by Supervisor Newman; second Supervisor Burke; outcome: approved (voice vote). Amount: $56,750 from strategic priorities funds.
• Emergency uses (flood response onboarding/debris) — motion by Supervisor Berg; second Supervisor Krieger Gundrum; outcome: approved (voice vote). Amount: up to $15,000 from strategic priorities funds.

Ending: Committee approval authorizes staff to proceed with grant application, equipment purchases, and immediate emergency spending; specific procurement details and bid amounts were not finalized at the meeting.","The Public Safety Committee approved three motions: authorization to pursue a PSAP grant for fiscal year 2026, $56,750 in strategic priorities funding for mobile field force equipment, and up to $15,000 from strategic priorities for immediate emergency uses related to flood response.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502049,"Washington County emergency manager: one‑person office overwhelmed by floods, asks for added FTE",2035,746000,2781000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609066-e4399ab613eb8111de6ef33120bddbfa&start=746&end=2781","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609066-e4399ab613eb8111de6ef33120bddbfa/thumbnail_746000.jpg","/articles/6502049/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Washington-County-emergency-manager-oneperson-office-overwhelmed-by-floods-asks-for-added-FTE","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502049-66383f6501ed130ddac5aa79ef3595de/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116523&Signature=VblH4bre7ojki8FWIOIaLeFcSYbqRxrdAWrD54q9X58wMz1afvslkdppeI0M5~S0~wg1jfKwbdtuKXZy6Th92wfoUJtzQbt4IyRPhAYn0aW4yBtRP7-SS4gSlgIiETEuFEN7nG3f4HIz9kkoPhIGOOy9z3ChXWGUiDYSK8G8Eapk9jtbKKsVyxx0s~Op4JskFr3D6NyvEbD-muO8K1RMVwodknQo807dojZbjElDzSytk55a8JteXSK5n9V-ImMcVCKRoi9AMLA7YvhO~FXQpK~KUcVuuTqVrWCUjDIR58ljw-z1-guepr2rH-tZOgXG0TFQc9mEG4bTv6FN9Q-avA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dustin Lofi, Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator, told the Public Safety Committee in August that the county’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is staffed by a single full‑time equivalent and was stretched thin during recent severe weather and flooding that affected roughly 10 municipalities.

Lofi said the office is responsible for hazard assessment, planning, grant deliverables, training and exercises, and incident resourcing, and that “the bandwidth of 1 county emergency manager does not effectively allow the mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities needed to support the community.” He gave a recent example: he logged about 70 hours over a recent week supporting municipal responses, coordinating damage assessments, and answering calls and emails.

Why it matters: Lofi told the committee that extreme weather events have increased in frequency and severity and that local emergency management responsibilities are expanding even as some federal programs change. He said the county declared a state of emergency for recent flooding on Aug. 10 and that, year‑to‑date, the county has experienced multiple flash flood warnings, tornado watches/warnings and other weather hazards. He estimated historical hazard damages at about $63,000,000 in 2021 dollars (not including the current event).

Lofi outlined a 30/60/90‑day leadership transition after the prior emergency manager, Rob, retired April 2, and said Wisconsin Emergency Management has been sending staff to augment the county during the recent responses. He described ongoing efforts including family assistance center planning with Health and Human Services, memoranda of understanding with shelter partners (American Red Cross, Salvation Army), damage assessment training with GIS and municipal officials, and completion of off‑site hazardous‑substance plans required for grants.

Lofi requested one additional FTE to support the OEM’s work, saying the extra position would expand the office’s liaison capacity with municipal emergency managers, support continuity of operations, and help run the emergency operations center during activations. He warned that federal funding shifts — including the cancellation of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program — and proposals to shift more preparedness responsibilities to local governments could increase fiscal pressure on counties.

Supervisors praised Lofi’s work during recent storms; several said they support adding staff. The committee approved a separate, later motion to allow up to $15,000 from strategic priorities to support immediate emergency needs (see Votes at a glance). Lofi also noted planning to request a dedicated FTE in the 2026–27 budget proposal.

Ending: Lofi concluded that 2025 has been “a very busy and historic year” for the OEM and recommended adding staff to improve continuity, resilience and post‑disaster recovery capacity.","Emergency Management Coordinator Dustin Lofi told the Public Safety Committee that the Office of Emergency Management is staffed at 1 FTE, supported incident response for 10 municipalities during recent floods, and requested an additional full‑time position to sustain planning, response, and recovery work.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6502053,"Washington County district attorney warns rising caseloads could strain office",264,115000,379000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5609066-e4399ab613eb8111de6ef33120bddbfa&start=115&end=379","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5609066-e4399ab613eb8111de6ef33120bddbfa/thumbnail_115000.jpg","/articles/6502053/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Washington-County-district-attorney-warns-rising-caseloads-could-strain-office","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502053-b4e48286acda22cac46a56622122c2e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775116523&Signature=GPZqLK8PbuAWrfg9Rvia42usgS~h00EKJ3wWGNklEmVlL2~Y6Utmx-PQbIOIq4zr24BxeqvQIjy6i6~x3nTZeIc-~HaoA0LmG6NbGAPB4KdkzY4mMjhDsU54HcSoDbzq1i-e~tDYTW5nSoZYt0u3YdsR2RvzXY~rO7pttsJXq0ZvnzKEHpdTyRg-DPRGKdtUbWGvkdMt~YjKrmYD0Ye5OavOffsjGBOg24EnlGwnWDRNdZmZMKyy69DoxIdmyei2Gy3aVJmZIBmafofOsIwSXGbAHvkZUq7JRsRuMdFrKZ9FO47xaHJvOmzvNT1MGh4~2-2qzJ4P01kzQV9ginJzaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District Attorney Barry Bridal told the Washington County Public Safety Committee at its August meeting that his office expects a roughly 25% increase in case filings — “about 500 to 600” additional cases — and that the county’s current staffing and funding levels will put pressure on prosecutors’ workloads.

Bridal said the office currently has seven full‑time prosecutors, plus a 0.4 position funded by ARPA that was recently extended through Oct. 5 and temporarily filled by Sue Opper, “the former district attorney from Waukesha County.” He also noted a recent hire, Christy Gordon, who “recently joined our office as an assistant district attorney.”

Why it matters: Bridal warned that many of the county’s attorneys already handle between 300 and 400 active matters, and that further increases could force staff to prioritize some cases over others or risk burnout. “Some of the cases within the backlog were very serious felonies,” he said, and “the majority the great majority of our attorneys have between 300 to 400 cases” now.

Bridal attributed part of the rise in filings to his office taking “a more aggressive approach on charging decisions” and to a backlog of referrals the office is processing. He said the state budget provided pay progression funding — which he called helpful for recruitment and retention — but did not allocate additional positions after Joint Finance used a staffing analysis to target offices below an 80% staffing threshold. “Through their analysis, we were at just below 80%,” he said, and the state’s workload analysis recommended just over eight attorneys for Washington County, whereas Bridal said current and anticipated filings would require more than that.

Committee members thanked Bridal for the report and asked whether newly charged cases were generally less complex; Bridal answered that complexity varies. “Some cases within the backlog were very serious felonies, burglary offenses, auto theft defenses,” he said, and added that even lower‑level misdemeanors can require additional work when defense counsel requests investigations.

Bridal told the committee he plans to continue discussions with state legislators about staffing in the next budget cycle and said the office will continue coordinating with law enforcement to maintain public safety. He emphasized the office’s efforts to avoid attorney burnout while processing the increased caseloads.

Ending: Committee members expressed appreciation for the office’s work under pressure and did not take action during the meeting on additional county funding; Bridal said he would continue to advocate for relief in future budgets.","District Attorney Barry Bridal told the Public Safety Committee the office expects a 25% caseload increase (about 500–600 cases) and remains underfunded for additional prosecutor positions despite state pay progression funding; he said most prosecutors already carry 300–400 cases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County executives preview biennial budget: proposed court‑security cut, medical examiner savings and Clerk of Courts fee impact

Committee approves PSAP grant pursuit, mobile field‑force gear and emergency debris/onboarding funds

Washington County emergency manager: one‑person office overwhelmed by floods, asks for added FTE

Washington County district attorney warns rising caseloads could strain office