Walworth County's Board Executive Committee on July 14 placed on file the Sheriff's Office update that the county rescinded a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) related to warrant service officer (WSO) work and simultaneously approved multiple budget items the sheriff had requested.
Committee members were told the sheriff initially signed an MOU with ICE earlier this spring but rescinded the MOU via email on June 23. ICE requested a formal letter; staff said a letter was drafted and sent July 7 and that the MOU was rescinded and the county is not taking further action on that agreement. Staff said the county continues normal law-enforcement operations, will assist other lawful law-enforcement requests, and that the county still processes 48-hour ICE detainers; corrections staff reported that most detainers have resulted in pickup within 24 hours and that the corrections division receives teletype or email notice to release when ICE is not able to pick someone up.
The committee voted to place the item on file.
Separately, the committee approved budget items for the Sheriff's Office including authorization to replace multiple squad vehicles and a budget amendment totaling $1,000,007.52 to cover communications, corrections, patrol overtime and associated fringe benefits. Staff said the overtime pressure was driven by multiple vacancies across divisions; finance staff confirmed the transfer would cover the needs through the end of the year.
The committee approved the squad replacement authorization and the overtime budget amendment by voice vote.