Finance committee backs sheriff camera RFP including AI; committee weighs borrowing to boost pay and remove courthouse loan
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Summary
The finance committee recommended approval of a sheriff's camera request for proposals that includes an AI component, discussed restoring funding for coroner staff and the district attorney, and approved a proposal to cancel a planned courthouse loan and borrow to raise the countywide pay increase from 1% to 2%.
The Manitowoc County Finance Committee reviewed department budget requests and forwarded several recommendations to the county board after a lengthy Oct. 23 meeting.
Supervisor Tyler Hanson, reporting to the full board, said the committee spent about four and a half hours on requests from supervisors and department heads, including a coroner request for benefits for at‑will employees, additional investigative funding requested by the district attorney and a sheriff's department RFP for officer cameras and associated technology.
Hanson said the finance committee approved the sheriff's camera RFP including the proposed AI program after “a lot of good discussion” among the county executive, the sheriff and IT staff. He characterized the decision as forward‑looking but urged supervisors to educate themselves on the costs before the board vote on the budget.
The committee considered a coroner request for two positions eligible for benefits; personnel committee action is required before positions would be hired, Hanson said. The finance committee discussed potential funding sources, including opioid settlement dollars, and recommended restoring $15,000 to support benefits if personnel approves hiring.
Hanson said committee members also approved a proposal to cancel a planned loan for the courthouse project and instead borrow a smaller amount so the county could increase a proposed 1% across‑the‑board pay increase to 2%. He said that approach would remove planned funding for the dome project in favor of borrowing to support the higher pay increase.
Hanson urged supervisors to read the county executive's budget letter and to work toward compromises before the Nov. 4 board vote; he reminded supervisors that the county executive can veto parts of the budget and that an override would require 17 votes.
The board did not vote on the committee's recommendations as a single omnibus motion; the finance committee's recommendations will be considered in the full budget process.