MONROE — With the creation of an ad-hoc committee to study the issue, the county is moving closer to a major renovation or likely replacement of its aging sheriff’s department/jail and county highway department buildings.

The Green County Board of Supervisors agreed to appoint a County Facilities Building Committee at its Feb. 12 meeting to help the county move toward solving space and modernization issues in both facilities, said Green County Board Chairman Jerry Guth.

“Obviously the (buildings) aren’t getting any better, or any younger,” said Guth, adding that it is up to the newly formed committee to recommend a solution, up to and including new buildings “…Sooner is better than later. Well-done is better than poorly done.”

If so, it would be the county’s first new building — except for the Justice Center building — since the 1960s, officials said. The jail/sheriff’s office updates also are critical because they involve a key component of the local first-responder network — the county 911 center, which currently dispatches all emergency communications except for Monroe. 

Guth said the county had grant funding available to help develop a capitol improvement plan and the committee is a vital part of that. But there is no question county officials support the move.

“It’s time,” said Sheriff Jeff Skatrud, adding that he has been working closely with the county board on the unique space needs of the jail and other law enforcement facilities. “I’m really pleased that the county is moving forward.”

Skatrud said much of the 911 center’s technology is not only out of date, but in some cases unavailable — and that is a problem when it comes to public safety. There are also issues with a leaky roof and woefully outdated plumbing. Even seemingly small details like adequate locker rooms can detract from job satisfaction — currently, for example, Skatrud said half the deputy lockers are in the basement and half in a garage, neither of which has much privacy.

He added that a new jail facility and sheriff’s office would go a long way to help with the county’s ongoing efforts to recruit jail and road deputies. State and nationwide, there is a shortage of recruits for many first-responder posts.

Guth said the main issue with the highway department, meanwhile, is a major lack of space to park its equipment.

“Machines just keep getting bigger and we have to keep up,” said Guth, noting that the current, brick highway department facility dates to the 1930s.

The committee will have a budget to hire a needs consultant. There is no time-frame for the committee to complete its work and report back to the board, according to Guth.

He acknowledged that the method of paying for such buildings also will be a topic for the ad-hoc facilities committee to discuss — as is a desire to bring other government entities in to the planning process to see if such public services can be less duplicative.

In other county matters, the board was scheduled at its March 12 building to consider updates for major ATV/UTV routes.

“That’s something we like to do, it’s good for the whole county,” said Guth.

Routes will soon be expanded and added, if the board concurs, in Adams, Clarno, Jordan, Spring and Monroe Townships.

The board on March 12 also was scheduled to get an overview on the strategic planning process, with a representative from South West Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, and one from the UW-Extension. Moreover, the county board was scheduled to vote to amend supervisory districts 2, 8, and 15 to match current trends related to the city annexing county property.