Wright County approves license agreement for law‑enforcement training center after safety and scheduling amendments

Wright County commissioners on Nov. 19 authorized a license agreement allowing outside law‑enforcement agencies to use the county’s Law Enforcement Training Facility, adding requirements intended to protect equipment and neighbors while preserving scheduling flexibility.

Administrator Kryer told the board the draft mirrors the agreement used for in‑county users but removes a cap on the number of uses and subjects outside users to the county fee schedule. Kryer proposed two precise amendments during the meeting: that “the Wright County Sheriff's Office shall have a range safety officer or other designee present when [agencies] use the training center,” and that the restriction read as “no outdoor firearms training shall occur between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.”

Commissioners raised several operational concerns during an extended discussion. Commissioner Catchmark pressed for language ensuring a county employee would be the last person to leave the $9 million facility on nights when outside agencies use it, citing equipment and security responsibilities. Others asked whether overnight indoor firearms qualifications—mandated in some law‑enforcement certification standards—would be prevented by an 8 p.m. cutoff. One board member said the post board requires low‑light qualifications and that an absolute evening cap could create compliance problems for agencies.

Kryer and other board members said the agreement leaves scheduling priority with the Sheriff’s Office and that the fee schedule accounts for any required staff presence; the packet notes that sheriff’s office staff time is included in the fee schedule if required. The board discussed balancing cost recovery with avoiding excessive overtime charges for county staff.

After clarifying language and confirming the Sheriff’s Office would retain scheduling priority, Commissioner Catchmark moved and Commissioner Holland seconded a motion to adopt the license agreement as amended. The board voted unanimously to adopt the agreement.

The agreement now allows outside agencies to contract with Wright County for use of the training center subject to the fee schedule and the presence of a range safety officer or designee; the county intends to monitor how the fee schedule and staffing affect net revenue and may adjust terms later if needed.

The board approved the motion and the license agreement unanimously; no further public hearing on the agreement was required.