Residents press Madison County for transparency on Casanova College property purchase and ICE agreement; sheriff defends plan

Residents of the village of Casanova and county residents urged the Madison County Board of Supervisors to pause or slow the county's purchase and planning for Reisman and Sighetty Halls on the former Casanova College campus, citing lack of transparency, local land-use questions and concern about the sheriff's existing cooperative agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The county administrator and committee chair Pete Waller told the board the county evaluated multiple options and approved a purchase agreement in May 2025 for Reisman and Sighetty Halls for "approximately $1,900,000," with execution in July 2025. Waller described the choice as a cost-saving alternative to a larger renovation elsewhere and said the buildings require only "minor renovations to prepare them for county use."

Residents sought more public process. Laura Reeder, speaking for the Anti-Racism Coalition of Casanova, said the purchase "was pursued without meaningful community input" and asked the board to pause the attorney general review and the purchase until a full public-planning process is held. Bill Bollin, a former public official, and other residents echoed requests for a robust public engagement, respect for village zoning and clearer information about intended uses.

Immigration enforcement and public-safety concerns

Multiple residents urged the board to clarify the county's relationship with ICE. Nancy Reese summarized worries about past ICE operations in the region and asked supervisors to press Sheriff Todd Hood to "activate the termination clause in section 8 of the ICE agreement." Reese and others warned that civil immigration enforcement can produce "collateral damage," citing recent regional raids where local residents said lawful workers and their families were affected.

Sheriff Todd Hood responded with a public explanation of operational needs and legal obligations. Hood said the county's existing buildings housing patrol are inadequate and that a campus location could provide centralized training and upgraded facilities. Hood described the county's obligations when presented with federal warrants, saying, "When the sheriff takes office, I have to support and enforce the Constitution of The United States Of America," and, "If a judge does [issue a warrant], I have to act."

Hood also addressed juveniles held when state facilities are full, noting those are constrained by state bed availability and state policy rather than county choice. He emphasized the county's role in enforcing state and federal law and invited supervisors and residents to contact him with questions.

Board response and next steps

Board members and officials repeated that several review meetings had been public and that the board had approved the purchase in May; multiple supervisors said the process had included facility visits and interdepartmental review. Residents asked the board to pause the attorney general's review and to hold additional community meetings before finalizing uses or seeking zoning changes. The board did not announce a formal pause at the meeting.

Quotations in this article are from the recorded meeting transcript and are attributed to speakers listed below.

Ending: The board faces two near-term tasks identified by speakers: (1) clarify and communicate the intended uses and any planned rezoning or site changes for Reisman and Sighetty Halls, and (2) respond to public concerns about the sheriff's ICE cooperation agreement. Residents said they will press for a formal public process and continued transparency.