ELLSWORTH – During the April 21 reorganizational meeting, the Pierce County Board approved a resolution authorizing the use of opioid settlement funds to purchase four license plate reader cameras for use throughout the county.

Pierce County Sheriff Chad Koranda said FLOCK is a common brand used, but after studying them, PCSO staff had concerns with its data management system. Chief Deputy Colin Gilles didn’t quite get the reassurance he was looking for, so he looked into the Axon management system, Koranda said.

“He feels comfortable that this would be a tool that would be highly effective for us,” Koranda said. “We would be able to manage the information that comes in and make sure it’s used appropriately.”
Koranda said no one can drive into or out of River Falls or Prescott without their license plates being read by FLOCK cameras. He reassured board members the information collected would only be used for law enforcement purposes, such as gathering intelligence to investigate and deter drug trafficking, while weighing the benefit of public safety vs. the intrusion of public privacy.

“I want you to know this is a project that I take very, very seriously,” Koranda said. “It’ll be used for the right reasons.”

Koranda said installation locations may be the southern part of the county near the Minnesota border or the Highway 29/35 area. Locations are still being considered.
“The use is for them to be accurately able to track a vehicle should we need it,” Koranda said. “For Amber alerts, someone missing, if we have a license plate, that number can be given to all agencies across the country.”

Supervisor Michael Kahlow (River Falls) said he’s been reassured that there will be adequate security, but he has reservations about possible future terms of service changes.
“I would hope this would come back before the whole board for reevaluation,” he said.

“I would lie if I said I weren’t concerned about my privacy in the government, even though I’m an elected official. That’s who I am,” Koranda said.

The board passed the resolution 16-1, with Kahlow voting against. The cost is $50,846.44 for four cameras and a five-year contract. The resolution also allows $75,000 of the settlement funds to be used for inpatient substance abuse treatment costs in 2026 related to opioid addiction and abuse.

Human Services Director Julie Krings said they’ve seen a significant influx in need for inpatient treatment for opioid abuse, especially among teens. The money will help supplement the county’s increased treatment costs, which must be covered, according to state law.

Reorg

During the organizational portion of the meeting, the first one following the April 7 election, the board approved the following positions and committees.

Chairperson Pro-Tem – Michael Kahlow

County Board Chair – Jon Aubart

First Vice Chairperson – Michael Kahlow

Second Vice Chairperson – Neil Gulbranson

Finance & Personnel Committee – Scott Bjork, Kris Sampson, Neil Gulbranson, Jerry Kosin, Jim Ashbach

Highway Committee – Neil Gulbranson, Barry Barringer, Jim Ashbach, Dan Puhrmann, Jerry Kosin

Human Services – Angela Mathison, Michelle Hanson (citizen member)

Land Management – Jon Aubuart, Neil Bulgranson, Dan Puhrmann

Law Enforcement – Jon Aubuart, Joanne Johson, Mel Pittman, Scott Bjork, Barry Barringer

Aging & Disability Resource Center Board: Angela Mathison, Joanne Johnson; citizen members; Ruth Wood (replacing Jenny Nyffeler), Julie Winger (April 21, 2026-April 2029), Patricia Hutter (replacing Mary Pollock, 2024-April 20, 2027).

Board of Health: County Board members Jon Aubart, Neil Gulbranson, Angela Mathison, Anne Claflin, Claire McCarty; citizen member Dr. Becky Kleager (three-year term)

Land Information Council: County Board member Daniel Puhrmann; Angela Hoven-ROD, County Treasurer Kathy Fuchs, Real Property Lister Diana Beying, County Surveyor Louie Filkins, Land Management Director Andy Pichotta, Realtors Association Member Jared Murphy, Public Safety Representative Chad Koranda

Solid Waste Management Board: Citizen member Glen Fisher

Catherine’s Pass

The board approved an ordinance that will establish an additional “slow no wake zone” from the Bay City Boat Launch to the Wisconsin Channel. The Department of Natural Resources listed many reasons for the request, inspired by the Pierce County Islands Wildlife Area Habitat Project, including:

• Reduction of shoreline erosion: Limiting vessel speed will reduce wake-generated wave action, helping to prevent shoreline erosion and project adjacent natural resources and infrastructure.
• Safe navigation in a narrow channel: The channel is narrow and used by a variety of watercraft types, including motorboats, personal watercraft, kayaks and canoes. A slow no wake zone would allow for safer passage, reduce conflict between users and improve overall navigational safety.
• Promoting responsible boating practices while balancing recreational access, environmental protection and public safety.

The new “slow no wake zone” encompasses the area known as Catherine's Pass south of Bay City, from the northern head of the islands south to the Wisconsin Channel, between mileposts 787 and 786 of the Mississippi River.

The DNR will manage operation, maintenance, and signage/buoys. Habitat construction is expected to exceed $50 million, according to the Feb. 10 Law Enforcement Committee meeting minutes. The project goals include improved water quality, vegetation response, island construction, and expanded recreational use. Construction is expected to be completed by the ed of 2026.

Catherine's Pass is a narrow cut between newly constructed islands. The DNR will incur costs for markers and handle maintenance/replacement.

Other business

• Koranda encouraged board members to check out the new Pierce County Sheriff’s Office app, which was developed in partnership with the Human Services Department.
• The board approved the 2026-27 county board meeting schedule. Meetings will be held at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month, except for the November and April meetings, which are held at 9 a.m. the third Tuesday. December’s meeting may be held the third Tuesday due to the holidays.
• Supervisor Neil Gulbranson commended the Pierce County Highway Department for going more than 1,000 days without a work injury, “a huge cost savings to the county.”
• Newly elected District 8 Supervisor Frank During extended an invitation to board members from Breeze Dairy Group to visit their facility sometime in July.
• The board approved a resolution to amend fees for county medical examiner services, required annually by the state.
• The board approved a resolution to allow the Pierce County Highway Department to do paving work at the fairgrounds without competitive bidding. According to Facilities Manager Joe McDaniel, the highway department can work around the fairgrounds’ schedule and complete the work faster, plus has valuable experience building roads that can endure heavy equipment. The areas to be replaced are the Maple Street entrance and behind the first aid building at a cost of $29,390.
• The board voted to authorize the use of $109,127.54 from the Jail Assessment Fund for fire gear, jail radios, fingerprint scanners, a convection steamer and a commercial washing machine.
• The board voted to amend Pierce County Code, combining the Fair and Agriculture/Extension committees.

The next Pierce County Board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 26.