[{"_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",6477380,"mediaKeyId","5711677-4592d9e3d59be50a38c23b7d8e4fb3e1","parentId",5711677,"title","Votes at a glance: committee approves previous meeting minutes; meeting adjourned","audioSeconds",3657,"startMs",93000,"endMs",3750000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711677-4592d9e3d59be50a38c23b7d8e4fb3e1&start=93&end=3750","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711677-4592d9e3d59be50a38c23b7d8e4fb3e1/thumbnail_93000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477380/Kenosha-County/Wisconsin/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-approves-previous-meeting-minutes-meeting-adjourned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477380-9477aab2e00bb78f4b8fe22c9fd054f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770501717&Signature=LkLkTvtifKfneBeShcF4g3uv5fZQ3uvotLsaN11FYRvfdQDXYb-bsE7EyfWs0OJPw4KDP2Pw09IgeJVtpyrD2oT-WAhoGXUWkS2WqBtJGIQy-p7hesw55Vk1~HmfGZaAX0n8RtAbzkkwJpa2VKHWnHwQjvPYBAFVmoroOQVzs0ciUVttTI0GssnMCkoNTZnVZ6FW4iSn-ujXlKYdKszajB4asbUx78O3nSEXx-y-gVa~PNoSGqpxNxrSv9FRwPG0QcD27jo3gUsHQMzTOepTAJmvAAnY54yLPIx4~KfkXrdF6MmbqHRUWMABF8OceWrZaSqN85NaHdA-PXWBHkmsqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kenosha County, WI","date","2025-09-04T12:08:20Z","article","The committee approved the minutes from the previous meeting in a voice vote after a motion by Supervisor Morrison and a second by Supervisor Brookhouse.

Later in the meeting the committee approved a motion to adjourn; the motion was moved by Supervisor Caro and seconded by Supervisor Brookhouse.

No other formal votes on ordinances, resolutions or contracts were recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Judiciary and Law Enforcement Committee Meeting, September 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee voted to approve minutes from the prior meeting and later approved a motion to adjourn.","taxTitle","Kenosha County, Wisconsin","taxId",2739,"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},6477384,"Kenosha County clerk of courts details staffing shortages, budget windfall tied to state allocation and courthouse construction update",919,2316000,3235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711677-4592d9e3d59be50a38c23b7d8e4fb3e1&start=2316&end=3235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711677-4592d9e3d59be50a38c23b7d8e4fb3e1/thumbnail_2316000.jpg","/articles/6477384/Kenosha-County/Wisconsin/Kenosha-County-clerk-of-courts-details-staffing-shortages-budget-windfall-tied-to-state-allocation-and-courthouse-construction-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477384-5eae91a894404ee72180950863d8e7c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770501717&Signature=kNkmgaUxP2sFdSJUdpEzLgYrqHEOQ79CaXpL2ny3fEbdj9yEnKmDqroXNFl3r5CE8voTs2xeN9tLgAaxL5Zn34jtF2SDFKcs2XoFzHP7nZ0b0~Gu11dMicbj1MQJiScQf5LjpfNS5GNrQGlPEppNUknj8~wpfc0VMtIu0MZ39~N8GpaZP8mCrWwJy9GYv62aH7p7sp9lIXm9aYp8~Gbdn5q4BrPpKDSGiniaR-H9irZ0QSoVwWAq3XKdQqTDwKyDSvqThNETwqaemmfD~kaW536qpwuGNO--25MBquCQoWQq3D-TLQaJROQFcBRpNcHbbp1xLhoZlqpLYMBc52G4og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Rebecca Metoska Mentink, Kenosha County clerk of courts, told the committee the circuit court office has experienced turnover this year — including retirements and interdepartmental transfers — and described how the office’s organization creates role-specific “silos” that complicate filling vacancies and covering duties.

Metoska Mentink said one recurring challenge arises from the county’s internal-application policy: employees are restricted from applying for other positions within a 12-month evaluation period unless “extraordinary circumstances” are approved by the human-resources director. She said that policy prevented a department-internal hire from moving directly into a higher classification during an evaluation period and asked the committee to consider language allowing limited internal hires or waivers at the department level; she said she had previously asked human resources for such a waiver and it was denied.

On budget issues, Metoska Mentink said the state distributed an additional $10 million to counties through the director of state courts’ office and that Kenosha County’s second payment yielded an extra $150,000. She cautioned the committee that future payments could be tied to strict interpreter-reimbursement protocols and said the county may not be able to meet all the director’s conditions, which could limit reimbursement in future years.

On revenue volatility she highlighted bond-forfeiture receipts as an unpredictable line item and explained several reasons collections can vary year to year, including reinstatements and signature bonds that are pursued as accounts receivable. She said collections on forfeited bonds are a significant but unreliable revenue source.

Metoska Mentink also reported that courthouse construction — the ceremonial courtroom project managed by Moseley Construction — is progressing, with work on HVAC underway and an expected completion targeted for June or July of next year. She said communication with the contractor has been “fluid” and responsive.

Finally, the clerk raised operational concerns about the district attorney’s staffing shortages, saying prosecutors’ absences and understaffing have caused scheduling problems, delays and instances where victims did not receive restitution because a prosecutor did not appear.

Ending: Metoska Mentink asked the committee to consider proposed language changes to the internal-application policy and said she would provide draft verbiage for human resources to review.","Rebecca Metoska Mentink, Kenosha County clerk of courts, reported multiple staff vacancies and cross-training constraints tied to a 12-month evaluation policy, described a one-time state allotment affecting court revenue, warned interpreter reimbursement rules could limit future funds and said courthouse renovation work is on schedule.",{"_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},6477387,"Wisconsin Community Services outlines pretrial supervision for OWI defendants, requests continued county funding",431,1007000,1438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711677-4592d9e3d59be50a38c23b7d8e4fb3e1&start=1007&end=1438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711677-4592d9e3d59be50a38c23b7d8e4fb3e1/thumbnail_1007000.jpg","/articles/6477387/Kenosha-County/Wisconsin/Wisconsin-Community-Services-outlines-pretrial-supervision-for-OWI-defendants-requests-continued-county-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477387-df7f200186b1ecf5fc7cefaf21ca1aa4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770501717&Signature=R75qxX2-~J1PCLehMV8d2ioAaH-UIaFdjVDW2vWRCXYdNj5OPk~CrdT18wdnUxjNV3PhrW5ymaEXHtCzmBo7A~sLorrMC8S8iIqRWSiP3mTZA1KnjhsvIr7d1aUkKUcPdlrmlviteo~eWi963AR9u-VJuJ69ED4mNcX6jwsr-pQ9Yp~w-C2n-Smwfyc8oqzo-cxGEDc6Zr67h3hq4FAuYgEXjWY5em4c-LzUgGAtBKaFMaGDybCgexHWyBkiKnsza58f1IrLU2Z6ti5t-CXi5uJEI5AHvUvHJhdVZh7MwY8likgv7RfBFyx-eN0646Z-7pK9bP0b-Y2l5gjG4ge2zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sarah Kruckner, regional director with Wisconsin Community Services (WCS), told the committee WCS has operated an OWI-focused pretrial supervision program in Kenosha County since 1997 and that the organization provides “safe supervision” and case-management services for people released while OWI charges are pending.

Kruckner said WCS’s services include assessments, routine check-ins, drug and alcohol testing, secure continuous remote alcohol monitoring for some participants, court-reporting on compliance, referrals to treatment and community resources, and support for participants seeking to reinstate driving privileges. She said the program follows national pretrial standards and aims to reduce failures to appear and recidivism.

Kruckner provided 2024 and 2025-to-date program statistics: in 2024 WCS supervised 325 people and discharged 72 who were enrolled in treatment; 88 percent of monitored participants had no recorded drinking events while on monitoring; 97.3 percent of clients appeared for every court appearance; the 2024 average monthly caseload was 161. For 2025 through July she said WCS had served 263 individuals year to date, 68 of whom had been discharged enrolled in treatment, and an average monthly caseload of 170.

Kruckner said participants pay a portion of the cost and that through August the program collected $15,370 in participant fees and expects to collect about $23,054 for the year. She said county contract funding remains essential for the program’s sustainability.

Matt Realy, WCS staff, and Chad Kirkman, deputy chief judge, both spoke in support of the program’s role in community safety and court monitoring. Kirkman said courts “feel more safe” knowing WCS reports violations to judges and that he believes the program reduces repeat severe OWI cases compared with other counties.

Committee members discussed funding and contracts. One speaker referenced a historical state funding stream through the Department of Transportation that was discontinued and the need for counties to plan for sustainability. Committee members and WCS staff said the county contract amount was discussed in multiple ways during the meeting: one speaker referenced $151,000 and later Kruckner said the county’s current funding level is $134,467; WCS also noted program fees and other revenue sources used to support operations. WCS said it had requested additional county funding to address inflationary pressure on staffing and benefits.

Ending: Committee members asked about the geographic scope of clients (WCS serves Kenosha County residents, including those from the city and villages) and WCS said it also operates similar programs in other southeastern Wisconsin counties.

","Representatives from Wisconsin Community Services described a long-running pretrial supervision program for people charged with operating while intoxicated, gave compliance and caseload statistics, and requested continued county contract support amid state funding changes.",{"_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},6477392,"Kenosha County sheriff reports improved staffing, calls summary from Country Thunder festival",228,118000,346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5711677-4592d9e3d59be50a38c23b7d8e4fb3e1&start=118&end=346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5711677-4592d9e3d59be50a38c23b7d8e4fb3e1/thumbnail_118000.jpg","/articles/6477392/Kenosha-County/Wisconsin/Kenosha-County-sheriff-reports-improved-staffing-calls-summary-from-Country-Thunder-festival","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477392-a4daef236313a3b2cab7b1596165e6ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770501717&Signature=PpXIwq6elbi0qngmNVueO4FCSPLVKbmFogBKkE~G43NygcJiIcGPf~t4Jns8ElHNo7QuV7v8iG05HznL50zhJe6skkA0M5odQ~ooe4v7zL-jqTqYERHT4gII-9VQJ8alzKJiMKXxCjLAdpjwakzTqVm65lI9rvHIilJE0rm3Cq20lAMq8KqRQ3Jhg6RZA6Et86xzLoC62XvV5INJl3H0BB3LUiQhOsOrZdvOlyv3p~Hyu-7AArv46~se8U5GX7PFQltqFQMwnGIid1QYvLGbTQHX2q4PxhEgjNHLlsi570IPL9D8I217fA-isD96fqIke2xzUeYI9EoskEtlw1tFdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheriff Zirner, Kenosha County sheriff, told the county committee the department’s recruiting effort is “in full swing” and that the corrections division is currently fully staffed while several officers and corrections staff remain in training and at the academy.

The sheriff said the department is preparing for retirements, with a captain promotional test scheduled, and that it is coordinating with human resources on promotions. He also described emergency-management monitoring during recent high-water concerns along the Fox River and credited recent county mitigation — including the county’s purchase of several houses in the Fox River floodplain — with preventing losses during summer flooding.

On public-safety operations, Zirner summarized the department’s response to Country Thunder and concurrent events. He said Country Thunder generated 473 calls for service, “the majority” of which were 911 hang-ups; the department made about 20 in-custody arrests, with 27 related criminal charges, and issued 197 tickets connected to the festival. He said the busiest traffic surges for ingress and egress took about 45 minutes to an hour. “It was very smooth,” Zirner said of the overall event.

Zirner said Country Thunder worked cooperatively with the sheriff’s office and that neighboring agencies provided mutual aid, naming Kenosha Police Department, the state patrol, Parkside and Pleasant Prairie as assisting agencies. He said festival organizers will adjust lighting and some traffic controls next year.

The sheriff also noted the department hosted several interns over the summer and reported positive feedback; one intern plans to apply to be a deputy sheriff. He said the office maintains a succession plan for festival command and that command captains and supervisors routinely staff the event to avoid past problems when private security handled festivals.

Committee members asked follow-up questions about recruitment age limits and retirements; Zirner said he expects some retirements but did not provide a total number beyond several imminent departures. On municipal billing and workload tracking, Zirner said the department changed call-sign tracking late last year and now has sample reports that can be distributed to supervisors showing calls-for-service by municipality.

Ending: The sheriff’s briefing closed with praise from a committee member for the department’s management of the festival and an exchange about continuing to refine data reporting to municipalities.","Sheriff Zirner told the county committee the department’s recruiting is active, corrections staffing is full with trainees in the academy, and County Thunder duties produced mostly minor incidents: 473 calls for service, about 20 arrests and 197 citations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: committee approves previous meeting minutes; meeting adjourned

Kenosha County clerk of courts details staffing shortages, budget windfall tied to state allocation and courthouse construction update

Wisconsin Community Services outlines pretrial supervision for OWI defendants, requests continued county funding

Kenosha County sheriff reports improved staffing, calls summary from Country Thunder festival