Washington County CJCC adopts bylaws, adds chief public safety officer to membership

The Washington County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council approved a set of draft bylaws, added the county chief public safety officer to its membership and revised a county-board seat at its first meeting, the council’s chair said.

Judge Stade Urnoff presented the draft bylaws prepared with assistance from County Attorney Brad Stern and modeled on guidance from the National Institute of Corrections and the Wisconsin Department of Justice. The council voted to add the position of Washington County chief public safety officer to the membership, to change the county-board representative slot to “a member of the Washington County Board Executive Committee appointed by the board chair and approved by the CJCC,” and to adopt the bylaws as amended.

The bylaws were drafted to reflect local government structure and the guidance of statewide and national CJCC resources. The county executive described the CJCC as a strategic priority for the county and said the county budget includes a staff position in the county attorney’s office to provide coordination and administrative support for the new council.

The membership change increases the panel to 11 seats. Chief public safety officer Dave Sager introduced himself during the meeting and described the role he fills as a liaison across the sheriff’s office, district attorney, medical examiner, courts and emergency management. Supervisor Mike Schwab moved the addition of the chief public safety officer position; Sheriff Stoltis seconded the motion and the council approved it by voice vote.

The council also approved revised language for the seat that had been listed as a specific county-board position so the council retains flexibility over which executive-committee member represents the board. That revision passed after a motion and second.

Members selected a vice chair by vote at the meeting and agreed on a quarterly meeting schedule; the packet proposed meetings from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the quarter. The council asked staff to circulate finalized meeting dates and to confirm contact details for members.

Discussion at the meeting focused on early priorities and structure rather than adopting substantive policies. Members agreed on two early tasks: provide foundational education about CJCC purpose and functions, and develop a baseline assessment of the county’s criminal justice system. The council requested that members submit their top-five priorities and top-five challenges in advance of the next meeting so staff can compile them into a facilitator-led strategic planning session (a SWOT-style analysis) at a subsequent meeting.

County Attorney Brad Stern and county staff will support the council’s administrative work; the county executive noted the budget already funds a coordinator position in the county attorney’s office to give the council staff capacity. Members discussed the option of hiring or contracting a neutral third-party facilitator to guide the strategic planning work but did not approve an external contract at the meeting.

The meeting closed after members agreed to the bylaws amendments, the membership change, the vice chair selection and the proposed meeting schedule. Staff will circulate the amended bylaws, confirmed meeting dates and a short packet of baseline materials and readings about CJCC models ahead of the next meeting.