Initiatives

Fiscal Responsibility

Continue to develop and successfully manage 3.5+ million balanced budget for the operation of the Sheriff’s Office and Jail.

The first important initiative of my campaign to be your Brown County Sheriff is simply labeled ‘Fiscal Responsibility.’ Ironic because it is not a simple task.

Maintaining a balanced 3.9 million dollar budget for the Sheriff’s Office and the Brown County Jail takes developed skills and abilities. I have knowledge of the task at hand, an understanding of the needs of the departments and citizens, discipline to say ‘no’ if needed and ‘yes’ when appropriate, and experience managing said budget. I have all of these skills to ensure the 3.9 million dollar budget continues to remain balanced and well-monitored.

I am the only Brown County Sheriff candidate who has 12 years of professional experience developing and managing a 3.9 million dollar budget for the operation of the Sheriff’s Office and the Brown County Jail.

Throughout my time as Chief Deputy, Sheriff Hoffmann and I have reviewed and made additions and deletions to the budget as needed to ensure Brown County citizens’ tax dollars are maximized to the fullest while ensuring public safety.

Partnerships and collaborations with other departments throughout Brown County continue to be vital relationships, which allows us to share resources and ideas to better serve Brown County citizens and save money. Utilizing grant funds is another important factor that helps aid our budget.

Senior citizens and community meetings

Community meetings will occur if I’m elected Sheriff in rotating locations throughout Brown County inviting all community members. 

These meetings will discuss current law enforcement trends including discussion on arrest rates, any jail updates, and promote public safety.  These meetings will also educate the community on growing issues or concerns within the community including financial scams, sexual victimization, and drug-related concerns and discuss ways to combat these issues. Speakers with direct knowledge in an issue will be asked to present if appropriate. 

By providing tools, safety plan ideas, and resources to the community, it is the goal that citizens can help keep their elderly parent, children, grandchildren and themselves safer and/or recognize if there is cause for concern. 

Also, with this initiative, will come social media to the Sheriff’s Office. 

Technology

Upgrade the Jail/Law Enforcement Center security and camera system.

One of my initiatives as your Sheriff is to upgrade the Law Enforcement Center/Jail security and camera systems to ensure more visibility of surroundings to better protect our staff, citizens, and jail population. 

The jail population has seen an up-rise in those dealing with mental illness. The Sheriff’s Office has recently added 2 padded jail cells to better serve those who are dealing with a mental health crisis while incarcerated. We have a close working relation with Public Health and area mental health and medical providers to ensure  the mental health and medical needs of our jail population is met in a timely  and responsible manner. We also work closely with the Court, Probation, Attorney’s Office, and Family Services to find alternative placements for those offenders who need treatment interventions rather than incarceration if public safety is not compromised. Most, if not all, of our jail population will be released at some point so it is critical to help them become stabilized in our community to help reduce recidivism. 

Currently, the Courthouse is receiving an upgrade to their security and camera systems with the financial help of a grant worth $55,000 the Sheriff’s Office applied for and received. 

The Brown County Sheriff’s Office is also the lead agency that provides ALICE training to our local schools, private entities, government agencies, and hospitals. This training provides community members helpful tools to combat an active shooter. Unfortunately, we always need to be prepared for situations we hope to never encounter.

Public Safety

Implementation of a Full Time Emergency Management Director.

Search and rescue

Addition of a K-9 unit and a drone to the Sheriff’s Office to be used as a county-wide resource.

Drug take back

Drug Take Back Boxes to include New Ulm, Sleepy Eye, Springfield and Comfrey.