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Committee approves $11,000 in Sheriff's equipment purchases and joins zero‑match jail mental‑health grant
Summary
Chippewa County commissioners approved $11,000 in equipment purchases from Fund 232 for the Sheriff's Office and authorized participation in the Rural Jails Mental Health Partnership Initiative (RJMHPI), a zero‑match grant to reimburse inmate mental‑health care and medications.
Chippewa County's Finance, Claims and Accounts Committee on March 11 approved equipment purchases for the Sheriff's Office totaling $11,000 and authorized the county to participate in a zero‑match mental‑health services grant for the county correctional facility.
Sheriff Bitnar requested equipment to support a new storage building and patrol vehicle mobile data terminals (MDTs). The requested items included two cameras, an evidence laptop ($1,300), a Knox Box ($500), an 800‑MHz radio ($8,000) and 12 chargers for MDTs ($400). Commissioner Jim Traynor moved to approve the purchases and a related budget amendment to Fund 232; Commissioner Damon Lieurance supported the motion and the committee approved it by voice vote.
Undersheriff Ryan Hering briefed the committee on the Rural Jails Mental Health Partnership Initiative (RJMHPI), which was described as a pilot program expanding its reach. The RJMHPI is a zero‑match grant that will reimburse the county for inmate mental‑health services including psychiatric medications, psychiatrist visits, and additional nursing hours; it may also cover upgrades to individual cells if needed. Commissioner Damon Lieurance moved to approve participation and Commissioner Justin Knepper supported the motion; a voice vote carried.
Committee records show the RJMHPI participation does not require a local match and is intended to reduce county costs for providing psychiatric care and medication to incarcerated individuals. The transcript does not specify grant award amounts or term length.
Next steps: Sheriff's Office staff will proceed with procurement for the approved equipment and coordinate required grant paperwork to enroll in RJMHPI.
