Before a law enforcement center is built in their city, Oconto residents are invited to offer their input by volunteering for a city committee that will meet with those spearheading the project.
The Oconto City Council, at the Jan. 7 Committee of the Whole meeting, authorized the formation of an ad hoc law enforcement center committee; the decision required approval at Tuesday’s City Council meeting in order to take effect.
The council in October passed a resolution supporting the construction of the law enforcement center in or near the city of Oconto but did not specify a location. The potential loss of property tax revenue and the demolition of the homes on an entire city block has raised questions from some residents, who formed a citizens group and brought their concerns to city leaders.
Critics of the plan also say a jail will be an eyesore, and the location was chosen in haste, without suitable public input.
Former Oconto Mayor Don Nerenhausen, speaking for the citizens group, said zoning ordinances prohibit the construction of a correctional institution in the residential area chosen for the facility. In addition, he said parking will be “horrendous” because of limited space available.
“What we want the city to do is meet with the Law Enforcement Committee and the County Board members to review other sites, with engineering reports and actual fiscal studies,” he said.
Alderman Al Schreiber responded by saying the county has the right to choose a site.
“I don’t think they’re going to change their location, but I think we can work with them on the tax issues and some of the other issues,” he said.
The city should get involved in developing a plan that addresses the aesthetics, parking and other issues, he said.
“To say we’re going to drive them out of here is the wrong process. I think we need to work with them, and that communication needs to be established,” Schreiber said.
A jail in Oconto benefits the city from a safety standpoint, Police Chief Dan Ault said, because officers are not leaving the city to transport an offender to an outside facility. Officers can also readily support the jail staff and help maintain their safety, he added.
“One thing I can’t stress enough is we can’t afford to lose the jail,” he said.
Alderman Bob LaBreck said the long-term loss of tax base is one of his concerns.
“I’m all for sitting down to talk to them, but I’m also for finding out what they’re going to do with our taxes” he said. “We’re not going to lose that for five years, 10 years, 15 years. We’re losing this tax base forever.”
“There are many of us that are worried about what will happen in the future if this keeps growing,” Mayor Victoria Bostedt said. “How big is big enough? How much are we willing to lose?”
The Oconto County Board in September voted to build a law enforcement center in the city of Oconto, adjacent to the courthouse, and have begun the process of acquiring 14 properties needed for the site.
Supervisors reversed their decision to build on a 14-acre parcel in Little River after town leaders rejected a change to an annexation agreement that would have dropped language referring to a referendum.
Instead, supervisors voted to build the center on the 4.7-acre block north of the courthouse. The facility is expected to cost up to $25 million and will replace an outdated facility in the courthouse complex that needs major repairs and has capacity issues. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2015.
Oconto County Administrative Coordinator Kevin Hamann said he supports the formation of the ad hoc committee to discuss the design of the facility, parking, utilities and road right-of-way.
“We look forward to their input on that,” he said.
He said once the county hires an architect—possibly in May or June, it will solicit public comment, then schedule meetings with the ad hoc committee.
The council set a few parameters for the committee: the city’s five department heads should be members, and advertisements should be used to recruit members.
Ten people — five council members and five audience members — submitted their names for the committee on Jan. 7.
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