St. Croix County board creates ad hoc panel to study $20 million jail expansion, votes 4-1

County administrator Witt said the board would create an ad hoc committee to take a deeper look at the proposed jail expansion and "report back by May 2027," a timeline intended to align with the next capital improvement project cycle.

The resolution, requested by Chair Fiedler, would have the chair appoint members — initially the chairs of five standing committees — to give the board broader subject-matter perspective. One supervisor questioned forming the panel without Chair Fiedler present and warned that using senior committee chairs who previously opposed the project could predetermine outcomes: "So right now, I'm against it," the supervisor said during debate.

Supervisors discussed an amendment to clarify the replacement language for the chair's designee; the board adjusted the draft to specify that the county board "may designate another county board supervisor to serve in the chair's place." The amendment passed on voice vote, and the full motion to create the ad hoc committee subsequently passed, 4 to 1.

Supporters stressed that ad hoc committee meetings would be public and that any committee recommendations would still require full-board approval. County administrator Witt said supervisors will see monthly updates on the jail project as it moves through the process.

The committee will study the project in advance of the next capital cycle and return recommendations to the full board by May 2027. The board did not specify membership names beyond the appointing authority, and final board approval will be required for any subsequent actions.