Bayfield County sheriff reports staffing shortfalls, jail programming expands amid budget strain

Sheriff Tony Williams told the Bayfield County Sheriff’s Committee on Jan. 19 that his department remains understaffed, with three full‑time deputy positions open, though recent interviews have produced promising applicants. He introduced Deputy Jack Lewan, who completed recruit school and field training and will operate in southern Bayfield County.

Williams said the department is pursuing limited use of Flock automated license‑plate cameras after discussing the technology at a Cheq Dems meeting where attendees voiced concerns but acknowledged potential benefits. He said access to camera data will be limited to agencies in surrounding states, and that requests from outside that area would be handled case‑by‑case.

Williams announced that four deputies will receive Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) training to improve on‑scene care, with a goal of at least half the agency being EMR certified. Emergency Management and PSAP Director Meagan Quaderer offered to help pursue grant funding; County Administrator Abeles‑Allison indicated there may be funds for equipment and training.

Jail Administrator Luke Kleczka reported the jail began the day with 46 inmates, including four boarded from Douglas County and the Department of Corrections. Kleczka said recent holiday bookings included multiple drug arrests—mainly possession and distribution of fentanyl, methamphetamine and pills. He described recent facility work replacing porcelain sinks and toilets with stainless fixtures in the library and intake and said the jail is adding a second Zoom video system to expand programming such as Literacy Link, GED instruction and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Kleczka said a reading program piloted in 2018 remains active and helps inmates connect with children through recorded readings and related parent programs. He also said the jail hired a part‑time jailer but one full‑time position remains open.

The committee pressed administration on budgetary issues. Williams said the Sheriff’s Office is roughly $109,000 over budget, of which about $64,000 is attributable to Meals on Wheels operations. He explained the department pays for food and staffing for the program and receives reimbursements of about $4 per meal. Cooks prepare roughly 400 meals per day; about 120 meals serve inmates and the remainder are for Meals on Wheels recipients delivered and at congregate sites. Kleczka said the jail spends more on the Meals on Wheels program than it recovers and described administrative difficulty tracking the program’s net impact.

Supervisor Dennis Pocernich raised broader concerns about how department budgets are coded, citing uncoded funeral and sick leave and categories showing negative amounts. Williams said the difference between revenue and expenses will likely be close to zero and that proposing a resolution now would be premature.

Milanowski moved to adjust the order of the meeting at the start, and later moved to approve the minutes from the Dec. 15, 2025 Sheriff’s Committee meeting; both motions carried by verbal vote.