Dane County Board recognizes Black History Month and approves land purchases, jail fire-suppression change order and a personnel reclassification

The Dane County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month, approved a change order for fire-suppression systems at the consolidated jail project, authorized the purchase of multiple properties near the planned landfill entrance in the Town of Cottage Grove, and reclassified a vacant weapons‑screening manager position during a meeting in February 2025.

The board voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2024-307 recognizing Black History Month. Chair Patrick Miles opened the meeting by calling attention to the observance, saying, “Good evening and happy Black History Month tonight,” and noting the contributions of historic Black civil servants. Reuben Anthony, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison, thanked the board for the recognition and said the acknowledgement was “not just symbolic.”

Why it matters: The land purchases and construction change order affect county infrastructure, long-term operating costs and neighbors adjacent to county projects; the personnel reclassification changes how a courthouse weapons‑screening role is staffed and paid.

Jail consolidation project: change order increases protection for electrical gear A public works item, Resolution 2024-282, approved a contract change order (No. 66) for the jail consolidation project at 115 West Doty Street. The change order funds installation of pre-action fire-suppression systems in electrical rooms serving critical jail systems. Project manager Steve Richards told supervisors the phased remodel revealed electrical rooms in both the renovated Public Safety Building and the new South Tower that required upgraded suppression because standing wet-pipe systems could flood electrical gear. Richards explained the pre-action system “has a safety net built into it that basically requires a 2‑step mechanism, before the water is discharged,” and that it would minimize…