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Public commenters raise concerns about sex-offender placements, sheriff budgeting and county surveillance; ADRC dining program celebrated
Summary
During public comment at the Barron County Board meeting, a local pastor and other residents urged scrutiny of the placement of high-risk offenders, questioned perceived conflicts of interest and sheriff spending, and requested county records. Separately, a supervisor celebrated two years of a senior dining program at a local restaurant.
Several residents used the public-comment period March 17 to press the Barron County Board on law-enforcement decisions and county spending.
Paul Poppe, a local pastor and resident of Chetek, spoke about the placement of individuals he described as sex offenders north of Barron. "There are roughly 12 to 14 children, minors that are pretty close to that house," Poppe said, and he told the board the house is owned by a Barron County deputy who is taking in $3,500 a month from the state for the placements. Poppe said the proximity to children and the deputy's ownership appear problematic and called for better coordination between county and city law enforcement. "I would just encourage you as representatives of the public money that the times of spending money like it's going out of style really need to come to an end," he added in a wider remark on county spending.
Dennis Rochelle requested meeting minutes and clarification about surveillance expenses and said he had not received minutes he sought from a special committee. At the podium he asked for records and asked who paid a surveillance bill; during his remarks he said, "It's a little more than $303,800 dollars being spent per month," a figure he asked the county attorney to clarify. The county clerk and administrator responded that minutes are posted online and that actions taken are available in those records.
Patty Anderson, speaking as a resident and county supervisor, marked a positive note about the county's Aging & Disability Resource Center program. Anderson said the county celebrated two years of an ADRC senior dining pilot at Lana's Corner Café that serves seniors 60 and older and thanked volunteers and staff who support the program. "That goal was reached March 9th of 2023," Anderson said, referencing the county aging plan's goal on restaurant-site dining for older adults.
What officials said County staff replied to requests about minutes by noting records and actions are posted online. The board did not take formal action on the public comments but directed staff to note public concerns and to follow up through appropriate channels.
Requests for records or further clarification may require staff review; the board did not commit to specific remedies during the public-comment period.
