When the Owen-Withee Police Committee met on Tuesday, September 16, Chief of Police Patrick Fehlman had good things to say about both of his officers. He said that Officer Jake Haugstad has been here about six years and helped get the entire department put together after the Chief was hired. He also had a special commendation for Officer Jason Scheffler who responded to an EMS call for a dog bite on July 22 and began treating the victim. Fehlman said if not for Jason the injury could have been life threatening. Fehlman added that the police respond to EMS calls and can provide crucial information to Fire/EMS before they get there. Committee chair Pam Jaffke said she is grateful for the work officers do.
The proposed changes to the union contract were approved. They update the contract for a third officer, with an adjusted schedule. The new contract will be approved at the next meeting.
The proposed budget for 2026 was presented. It will have to be adjusted for an added cost to property/liability/workmen’s compensation insurance. Wages went up by $20,000. A few items are up due to having three officers. Operating costs went down $1,000 and uniforms went down $500. Training went down $1,000 due to the amount of free training they can receive through the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. The cost of ammunition also went down slightly.
The budget for K-9 Jimi was proposed at zero and discussion ensued. Committee member Jason Thornton felt it wasn’t right for fundraisers to pay for an officer of the department. He felt they should budget for it. Committee member Larry Klabon asked about the cost of having a dog. There is a cost for food, vet bills, and grooming, as well as Jimi’s recertification. Klabon said he had an issue with holding fundraisers. Committee member Bob Wilczek felt holding fundraisers for the K-9 was no different than the fire department doing dinners, etc. to offset the cost of equipment. He said that if people want to keep the dog, they will pay. Chief Fehlman said it might show how much community support there is for having a K-9. Committee member Susan Kalepp was curious what other communities do as fundraisers. Officer Haugstad said there are also grants available. Thornton said he didn’t want people to feel the dog wasn’t needed because the budget was cut. Wilczek said if they plan to continue with the program, they also need to start saving for another dog. Fehlman said that Jimi is paid for with donations. If the community supports the program, they will donate. Klabon said there was $4,200 in the K-9 account. He was told that was donations for replacement, that Jimi’s care was budgeted in the past. Jaffke suggested they get a quarterly budget report. Both Thornton and Wilczek felt there should be money in the budget for Jimi. Klabon said they could budget $3,000 instead of $4,500 as in the past. He said that Withee can’t do a 4¼% increase.
The budget as proposed was $380,368.48, up from $364,876.80. Owen’s portion would be $247,239.51 and Withee’s portion $133,128.97. The budget will be adjusted for the new information and brought back for discussion at a meeting on October 7.