Due to increases in inmate population within Vilas County Jail, the Law Enforcement and Emergency Management Committee brought forth a resolution to the Vilas County board to increase nursing staff during its June 22 meeting.

Last year, the jail’s average daily population was 77 while in 2026 it is 89 inmates.
Jail Administrator Bill Weiss said with the increase has come substance abuse issues, leading to a significant increase in inmates coming into the facility under the influence of a variety of substances.

“I’ve been approving overtime and additional straight time to advance healthcare as nursing for the last six months, which is bringing us over budget,” Weiss said. “The average daily population isn’t the only increase, the only reason for the need to increase hours. We’ve got fentanyl abuse. We’ve got methamphetamine abuse. There’s heroin abuse, alcohol abuse, opioid and pill abuse. There’s drugs that are being smuggled into the Vilas County Jail by inmates.”

Weiss indicated to the board that extra nursing care and supervision is needed for inmates that come in under the influence to handle increased drug withdrawal, behavioral issues and mental health issues, and even wound care having to do with IV drug use.

The board approved an additional $51,825 to increase three weekly nursing hours from 50 to 64 and increase weekly provider hours from one to two hours. Funds for 2026 will come from the Jail Commissary 8 Fund.

The county’s Opioid Fund is being looked at as a possible option going forward to cover these costs. Finance Director Darcy Smith said the Opioid Fund has $661,000, so that could be a funding source for 2027.

Snomo trail procedures

The Vilas County board heard from Forest Administrator Chad Keranen on the adjustment of snowmobile trail opening and closing procedures going forward.

Keranen explained that with the varying levels of snowfall in the area, he recommended adjusting the ordinance and policy to allow clubs to open individually instead of how it currently works, when the whole county opens and closes simultaneously.

“Trails typically opened all at once. We’re giving the clubs the option to open as individual clubs. Closing would follow a similar suit,” Keranen said, adding that clubs that historically get more snow love the idea.

Supervisor Marvin Anderson expressed communication concerns between clubs and how people from out of the area would know what is open and what is closed.

Keranen agreed that communication could cause some confusion. “Is it gonna fix everything? No. But this is our latest attempt,” he said.

Holly Tomlanovich mentioned that this was approved by the clubs within the Vilas County Snowmobile Alliance, and said that clubs already deal with trails that utilize land in other counties by using barricades and signage to mark trail portions that are not open.

In other business

The board took action on a number of other resolutions during the meeting, including:

— Appointing Attorney Joshua Crownover as Vilas County corporate counselor at an annual starting salary of $124,092 plus benefits, and a moving stipend of $10,000, with a starting date of June 29;

— Attorney Nicholas George commented on the committee being assembled for Riverside Park and said they are currently looking at the best way to bring the council to life in the coming weeks while also following state statutes and county rules;

— Thanking board Supervisor Leah Trojan for her service following the announcement that she had resigned to take a paid position within the county. District 6, which covers the town of Arbor Vitae, Wards 3 and 4, is now vacant;

— Approving 2025 expenditures in excess of the budget totaling $617,650 from the General Fund;

— Approving $26,543 from the General Fund for the purchase, delivery, and installation of a tilt skillet braising unit for the jail kitchen, which is used at least four times daily to provide meals to inmates; and

— Amending the Standing Rules and Committee Duties for the county.

Committee reports

During the committee reports portion of the meeting, Holly Tomlanovich noted that there are two lake districts in the Conover area that need representation: the Tamarack Flowage/Baker Lake and the Buckatabon Lake districts. For information on joining, contact Tomlanovich at 715-617-4708.

Patrick Weber, who chairs the Highway Committee, said the highway department’s Dan Sauvola will be missed. Sauvola has retired after 32 years with the county.

Although he is not aware of “anybody knocking on the door” for these types of projects, Richard Logan praised Zoning Administrator Dave Sadenwasser for his proactive work on language regarding data centers, battery energy storage systems, and commercial solar in the county.

Chair Jerry Burkett added that anyone who would like to see “the real Jerry Burkett” can stop by Riverview Park on Tuesday, July 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. to see him play bass with his church group and enjoy a free meal.

The Vilas County Board of Supervisors will not meet in July. The next scheduled meeting will be held Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 9 a.m. at the courthouse.