Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors Meeting, March 17, 2026: Sheriff Salary, Jail Planning, and Resolutions
Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors Meeting, March 17, 2026
The Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors convened on March 17, 2026, for a regular meeting that included presentations, discussions, and votes on a range of items. Key topics included a presentation by jail planning consultant Tom Weber, a contentious debate over the sheriff's salary, and adjustments to fee schedules for the Prairie Theater and Event Center. The board approved multiple resolutions, including recognitions, appointments, and grants, with the sheriff's compensation resolution passing after several amendments failed.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of the supplementary agenda (21-0).
- Resolution congratulating Campbellsport High School Lady Cougars Dance Team for winning the WACPC Division III State Hip Hop Dance Championship (21-0).
- Resolution recognizing retiring employees Mary Fortney, Janet Klon, Jamie Rambo, Deb Sobel, and Patrick Simon (21-0).
- Proclamation designating April 12–18, 2026, as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (21-0).
- Appointment of Michael Grassey to the Elderly Nutrition Program Committee (21-0).
- Report of Finance Committee on mileage, per diem, and expenses for February 2026 (21-0).
- Resolution creating three full-time E3 positions and 1.2 FTE pooled part-time positions for children's long-term support services in the Department of Human Services, effective March 17, 2026 (21-0). The program has grown 361% since 2017, currently serving 500 children with 20 case managers.
- Resolution establishing annual compensation for the Clerk of Circuit Court for the 2027–2030 term (21-0).
- Resolution designating April 20–24, 2026, as Work Zone Awareness Week (21-0). In 2025, Wisconsin had 2,065 work zone crashes (620 injuries, 7 fatalities); Fond du Lac had 16 crashes (1 injury).
- Resolution authorizing a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant agreement with Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance for Pipe Creek watershed restoration, effective April 1, 2026 (21-0).
- Resolution authorizing an ATV/UTV trail aids grant application for the 2026–2027 season (21-0).
- Resolution authorizing a snowmobile trail grant application for the 2026–2027 season (21-0).
- Resolution authorizing termination of an airport hangar lease with Stephen Mollin and a new lease with Nathan Leopold (21-0).
- Resolution accepting a $125,000 offer from South Shore Homes LLC for 1.822 acres of vacant land on the county campus, contingent on utility availability and family housing development (21-0).
Discussion Items
Jail Planning and Justice System Assessment Presentation Tom Weber, executive director of Just Us Service Group, presented an overview of his independent study process and timeline. He is conducting a justice system assessment, studying alternatives to incarceration, and developing jail bed projections to right-size the facility. Key points:
- The assessment includes data collection, stakeholder interviews, and analysis of jail population trends, including gender, classification, and mental health needs.
- Preliminary data shows increased female population and consumption of special management beds for mentally ill inmates.
- The project is on an accelerated schedule, with a report due by May 15, 2026.
- Weber will not compare Fond du Lac to other jurisdictions but will benchmark against the county's own historical data.
- He plans to facilitate a debriefing with stakeholders and may hold a community meeting.
- Questions from supervisors covered: juvenile detention trends (e.g., Racine's residential school model), collaboration with nonprofit organizations, impact of COVID-19 on data, and the role of a Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC). Weber supports CJCCs and will include recommendations.
Sheriff's Salary Resolution The board debated a resolution establishing total annual compensation for the sheriff for the 2027–2030 term. The original Finance Committee recommendation was a 20% increase in 2027 ($138,858) followed by 3% increases in subsequent years. Three amendments were proposed and defeated:
- Supervisor Hayes moved a 25% increase (first year $150,093) – failed 8-13.
- Supervisor Depperman moved a 6% increase (first year $127,991) with 3.5% increases – failed 10-11? (Note: transcript says 10 in favor, 11 opposed? Actually it says 10 supervisors in favor of the amendment, 11 opposed, but then later says
Meeting Transcript
Okay, I hereby call to order the Tuesday, March seventeenth, twenty twenty-six meeting of the Fondal Lac County Board of Supervisors. As is our tradition, we will have the presentation of colors, followed by a moment of silence, followed in turn by the Pledge of Allegiance. This evening we have the Brothertown Indian Nation presenting the colors. Please rise. Motion by Supervisor Van Huysen, second by Supervisor Simon. All those in favor, press your button aye. Opposed nay. I don't see any, so all those in favor. It's shutting down on me. Who was the first? Um Ryan and Conley. Okay. Okay. Going to the vote. All right. All those in favor, press your button aye. Oppose nay. Okay, the supplementary agenda agenda has been approved. 21 in favor and none opposed. Now we are moving on to the agenda. Our first agenda item this evening is the resolution congratulating Campbell Sport High School for winning the Wisconsin Association of Cheer Palm Coaches, WACPC Division Three State Hip Hop Dance Championship. This is submitted by Stephen E. A. Abel, Kenneth W. Depperman, and Thomas E. Dornbrook, along with the entire county board of supervisors. Okay, as is our tradition, I will read the resolution. Whereas it is fitting that the Fon Lac County Board of Supervisors should recognize the young people of the county who excel in activities that bring great pride to the Fondal Lac County community. And whereas the Campbellsport High School Lady Cougars dance team earned this recognition on February 7th, 2026 at the La Crosse Center in Lacrosse. And whereas this is the third consecutive state championship in Division Three Hip Hop Dance State Champions. And whereas the team consists of 16 dancers and is coached by Carly Coleman. And whereas the team also earned third place with their POM with their POM routine in their division five competition. I'll therefore be it resolved that the Fonac County Board of Supervisors take pleasure in congratulating the Campbell Sport High School Lady Cougars Dance Team for winning the WACPC Division III State Hip Hop Dance Championship. Is there a motion to approve? Motion by Supervisor Dornbrook, second by Supervisor Deperman. Are there any questions or comments on the resolution? Supervisor Smith. Real quick, I just want everyone to understand that they also cheer on St. Mary Springs. And in reverse, Springs cheers them on. It's really kind of fun to watch the two teams cheer each other on. Okay. So good sportsmanship, ladies. Thanks for pointing that out. Supervisor Dornbrook. Yes, I think uh maybe when I relay the information to the county clerk for the resolution. I I might have somehow misinformed her. There's more than one coach, and when they come up to uh receive this resolution, maybe they can name the other coaches. Perfect. We'll do that.
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