Ashland County committee weighs drones, canine program and grant bids; fire department seeks federal funds for ice rescue sled

The Ashland County Public Property and Law Enforcement Committee on Monday discussed public-safety equipment needs, grant applications and program participation, including proposals to place infrared drones, raise funds for a canine unit and a congressional earmark request for a new Ice Angel ice-rescue sled.

Committee members heard the sheriff's quarterly report, which included patrol and transport statistics and several equipment and grant initiatives. "We're using [a Badger State Sheriff Association] grant to buy flashlights for the deputies and possibly an infrared drone," the sheriff's department representative, Brian, told the committee. He said the county plans to station one drone in the southern part of the county and another in the north to expand search-and-rescue coverage and that the department already has two trained drone operators.

The jail reported low participation in the medication-assisted treatment (MAT) program: "This quarter on our MAT program, it was 18 people that were assessed," Jill, a jail official, said. Jill added that a number of people decline the MAT options offered when processed through the jail, and that the county extended a current grant because participation has been lower than expected.

Committee members also discussed canine and public-relations efforts. Brian said the department's new canine completes training this month and the department is exploring a canine foundation to support future training and costs. "He's doing very well," Brian said of the dog, noting plans to post graduation photos on the department's Facebook page and to fundraise with canine-themed items.

On larger capital work, committee members were briefed that the sheriff's department HVAC replacement will require hiring an engineer to produce blueprints and that county finance committee approval will be needed before proceeding. "When a final quote comes in, the entire county board will have to approve it," Brian said, noting the project likely will cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Separately, Christina, the county emergency-management official, said the county submitted a congressional earmark request through U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin's office for a new ice-rescue vehicle, an "Ice Angel," to replace a 22-year-old unit. Christina said the request is for about $700,000 and that the county would need to combine several smaller grants if the earmark is not approved. "We're requesting I think it's almost 700,000 dollars for a brand new Ice Angel to replace our 22 year old Ice Angel," Christina said.

Discussion-only items included potential placement and training for drones, the logistics and legal issues of setting up a canine fundraising foundation, and whether to reapply for or replace grant-funded MAT services. No formal committee vote authorized purchases of drones, a new Ice Angel, or HVAC construction at the meeting; those items were described as pending further quotes, grant results, or county-board approval.

The committee took no action to appropriate funds during the meeting but flagged multiple items for follow-up by staff and for consideration by the finance committee and the full county board.

Ending: The committee scheduled further review of capital projects for the finance committee and left grant and purchase decisions conditional on future quotes, grant awards and county-board approvals.