Barron County board expands law enforcement committee after debate over membership

The Barron County Board on May 20 approved an ordinance amending the general code to expand the law enforcement committee from five to seven members, a change that drew several supervisors into a brief debate over committee assignments.

Supervisor Gooslick moved the ordinance, seconded by Supervisor Conan. Supervisor Langman objected to expanding the committee and questioned the placement of two freshmen supervisors on the panel, saying he did not understand the rationale for the change. Supporters, including the chair and other supervisors, said assignments reflected a broader review of members' interests and experience.

After discussion the board voted to adopt the ordinance. The clerk recorded the result as 25 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain and 1 absent. The transcript identifies Patty Anderson as the abstaining vote and Langman as one of the two no votes.

Proponents said increased interest in the law enforcement committee and prior practice of expanding committees informed the decision. One supervisor noted the difficulty of forming committees that satisfy all preferences but emphasized trying to place members where their skills best fit.

The ordinance changes the membership count in section 2-0.02, C, subparagraph 8 of the county general code and will be reflected in committee rosters. There was no formal amendment to the ordinance recorded on the transcript; the board proceeded to finalize the vote.