Every county is facing financial strain and it reflects in the budget constraints on all departments.

It’s a stressful time for employees when discussions around budget threaten changes and possible cuts. How can the Sheriff’s department, specifically the Sheriff as a leader in the county, be a vital part of sharing the limited resources across the county and work with the administrator and other departments to set a collaborative and successful future for Marquette County within budget constraints?

This is an important question and serious matter in our county. This question is also one of my top four campaign priorities. Working together with all department heads and elected officials will be paramount moving forward into the future.

 

I believe the Sheriff needs to have an active role and be invested into the budget team meetings for all county departments, rather than just being focused on their office. Working collaboratively is a vital piece of leadership, especially in Marquette County and for our citizens. During these listening sessions and meetings, a lot of information is shared and discussed. If another county department is in extreme need of new technology, training, or equipment; maybe the Sheriff would be able to put a project on hold for a year or two so another department can be updated.

 

I believe a Sheriff needs to continue to learn and educate themselves with matters locally and focus on how to improve public safety within our budgetary constraints. Knowing and understanding our county budget is primitive on how we move forward with what we have and how we can provide innovative public safety services.  

 

With financial constraints continuing to be a challenge, I would like to work within the appropriate parameters of the budget. In March of 2026 our current Sheriff requested a 10% wage increase for himself at the committee and Board level, using larger populated counties like Dodge and Columbia as a wage comparable, amongst several other counties of similar characteristics. The Sheriff made this request knowing the direction the County Administrator was asked to go in, which was highly likely all non-union county employees would only get a minimal increase, if any at all, for the 2027 budget cycle. A leader needs to take the current budgetary limitations into account, which is a priority for me.