Posted: 3/24/04
By MaryHelen Swanson
If people are going to continue to commit crimes and get sentenced to jail, youíve got to put them somewhere when they serve their time.
Housing Chisago County prisoners at the current jail in Center City is interesting, jail administration will agree, in overcrowded space.
But housing the overflow of prisoners out of county is expensive, and could cost as much at $1 million this year.
For these reasons, the Chisago County Board agreed last week to proceed to seek requests for bids for a justice planner and formation of a jail task force.
The board agreed they need the planner to help determine the scope of a new jail or justice center project.
Sheriff Todd Rivard told the commissioners that a justice planner can answer a lot of the publicís questions.
The project, he said, will be stagnant and not move ahead until a planner is on board.
Commissioner Lora Walker agreed with Rivard, but asked where the anticipated cost of $60,000 to $90,000 would come from for the planner.
Rivard said he could commit $31,000 to the cost and County Administrator John Moosey said the rest would have to come from county contingency.
Moosey said the county could try to delay the expenditure until 2005, but with mounting costs of boarding out prisoners it is important to move quickly.
The approved jail task force is to include seven members, one from each of the five districts, appointed by that district commissioner, and two members appointed by the sheriff.
The county will advertise for those who would be willing to serve on the task force but that will not ensure they will be appointed.
No compensation will be paid, except reimbursement for mileage.
The task force will meet on an as needed basis and the group will expire with the boardís approval to either terminate the project or let bids.
In other law enforcement issues last week, the commissioners approved a restructuring of the sheriffís department.
The position of jail administrator was changed to the rank of captain which would be responsible for overall operation of the jail and communications center, under the supervision of the sheriff and deputy sheriff.
Cpl. Brandon Thyen was chosen for that position, he comes from his duties with the city of Rush City.
His wage would be $60,762. Cpl Thyen has a double bachelor degree and a business background.
Gena Gruening, the current Jail Administrator, with the ranking of sergeant, was changed to the Jail Supervisor position as a lieutenant. She retains her current pay.
Two new additional jail sergeant positions were approved, to be filled when needed and when funds are available.
A new position, jailer/transport officer, was approved. The new positions will add to the sheriffís budget, but Rivard said he would pay more for overtime for jailers and deputies who transport inmates.
Of the changes in assignments in the jail, Moosey said paying more for leadership will be good for the county in the long run.
In other business, the commissioners:
ï set 7:15 April 21 as the date for a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the county zoning ordinance on the definition of buildable lot which has been in discussion at the planning commission;
ï approved a conditional use permit for Joan Stottler to operate an antique shop out of her home in Nessel Township, and another for Phil Carlson to operate a machine shop at his home in Lent Township; and
ï authorized Environmental Services Director Marion Heemsbergen to draw up a contract with Dean Johnson not to exceed $15,000 for planning consultant work. In discussion with Johnson, Heemsbergen said Johnson suggested a starting point for riverway study is to hold a public meeting of all affected landowners.
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