Barron County board agrees to proceed with Sally Port financing plan; $5.925 million bond issue proposed

Barron County officials on Feb. 17 agreed to move forward with a financing plan that would combine construction of a new Sally Port at the Justice Center with roof-replacement work into a proposed general-obligation borrowing estimated at $5,925,000.

Sean and Jody, the county’s financial advisors, presented a 20-year repayment model that used conservative interest assumptions roughly 50 basis points above current market yields; the example schedule showed interest rates of about 3.60% on near-term maturities rising to about 4.70% on the final maturities. The county’s projection assumes the new debt would add roughly $455,000 to the levy for debt service beginning with the budget the board adopts in fall 2025, with payments first due in 2026.

Jody said the county will take competitive bids and present results to the board; the timeline discussed calls for issuing the official statement in March, opening competitive bids April 14, presenting bids to the full board April 15 and closing in May. The short-term note issued in 2024 could be paid off on May 7 if the financing proceeds.

County staff explained the borrowing structure and prepayment/refinancing options: the issue would include language allowing prepayment or refinancing beginning in year eight of the issue (2033) if market conditions made that advantageous. The advisors also noted that Wisconsin limits general-obligation debt to 5% of equalized value, and the county’s current outstanding debt remains well below that cap.

Sheriff’s Office staff described the project’s programmatic needs and scope. Sheriff’s staff said the new Sally Port portion of the project is expected to be about 2,180 square feet (the existing structure is about 1,075 square feet) and that the county anticipates bids of about $2.1 million for the Sally Port portion (fully equipped). Sheriff’s staff said total project cost, including work already completed and site work, is expected to be about $2.5 million because the county has already spent approximately $400,000.

Sheriff’s staff emphasized that the primary operational driver is video visitation capacity and access for courts, probation officers and attorneys; they said the existing facility lacks sufficient video booths, creating travel and scheduling barriers. The sheriff told supervisors the new port would accommodate larger vehicles in emergencies, support four squad cars at once and meet jail-inspector recommendations; staff said design and equipment choices reflect security and detention standards and prevented a cheaper “pole barn” alternative.

Board members asked for additional detail on project square footage, staffing and visitation capacity; the sheriff’s office said vehicle congestion in the current Sally Port happens frequently and that the project responds to documented space constraints.

At the end of the presentation, the board voted to “proceed with what Ehlers and the sheriff’s department outlined,” a direction that moves the financing and procurement work forward but does not authorize the debt or obligate funds. Supervisors were advised that if the board ultimately accepts bids in April, a later vote accepting a bid will lock in the interest rates and authorize issuance.

The county’s financing advisors will prepare the official statement and present competitive bids next month per the timeline presented to the board.