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Houghton County weighs reopening Workcamp as sheriff flags staffing needs; new captain introduced
Summary
At a Sept. 21 meeting commissioners discussed reopening the county Workcamp, noting it has been inactive for over a year; Sheriff Saaranen discussed staffing, union coordination and said four additional deputies would be ideal; he introduced new Captain Travis Dessellier.
Houghton County commissioners discussed plans for the county Workcamp during new business on Sept. 21, with Administrator Ben Larson telling the board the facility has not been in use for over a year and proposing the sheriff reopen it 'at moments notice' when needed rather than terminating Workcamp employees.
Sheriff Saaranen thanked the board, praised cooperative efforts between POEM and AFSCME unions during the closure, and said utilities had been reduced to minimal levels while the facility was idle. He expressed concern for employees’ livelihoods and said the sheriff’s office needs minimum staffing in the jail; he estimated that four additional deputies would be ideal should the Workcamp reopen.
Commissioner Glenn Anderson asked whether AFSCME employees were still working; the sheriff confirmed they are and said there are no issues with job descriptions. Commissioner Gretchen Janssen questioned where savings could be realized; Administrator Larson said Workcamp employees have been reassigned to the sheriff’s department and funds exist to cover them until reopening. Sheriff Saaranen then introduced Travis Dessellier as the department’s new captain and said Dessellier brings extensive experience to the role.
The board did not take formal action on reopening timing at the Sept. 21 meeting; commissioners discussed staffing and budgetary implications and indicated they will revisit the issue as prosecutor staffing and other departmental needs evolve.
