A plan to renovate the La Crosse County Jail, improving conditions for staff, incarcerated women, and people with mental health needs, took a step forward this week.

The County Board's Judiciary and Law Committee unanimously approved a $1.3 million proposal for design and construction management services with Kraemer Brothers and Klein McCarthy. The proposal was also approved by the County Board's Executive Committee on Wednesday and now goes to the full Board on Thursday, Aug. 20.

The jail was built in 1997 and expanded in 2010 to meet the needs of the population at that time. As of Tuesday, it housed 137 people. In recent years, more individuals with serious mental health needs have entered the jail, straining staff and resources.

A new plan, developed with input from jail staff and expert consultants, would expand special‑needs units and create new and improved housing for incarcerated women. The new layout would also make the jail easier to manage for staff. The estimated total cost is about $10 million and would be achieved by repurposing existing space.

Tuesday’s vote is an early step in a project expected to take about a year once construction begins. More updates will be shared as the work moves forward. County Board members (pictured) toured the jail on Tuesday to learn more about the facility and the project.

Turnout, Election Results

Thank you to everyone who voted in the Partisan Primary on Tuesday, and especially to all of the election workers who ensured everything ran smoothly, including County Clerk Ginny Dankmeyer and her staff. You can view the election results on the County Clerk's website here. Turnout was 34.7%, which is about average for recent primary elections in La Crosse County.

Join Our August Blood Drive

Please sign up for our August Blood Drive, which takes place Friday, August 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Health and Human Services Building (300 4th St. N, La Crosse). Sign up for an appointment here. The drive is public, so please invite friends and family to donate. Walk-ins are also welcome.

County Staff Show Up for National Night Out

Staff from the La Crosse County Library, Health and Highway departments, joined the Sheriff's Office for the National Night Out event at Mormon Coulee Park in Shelby last week. They did a great job showing the public some of what we do, and why it matters to our community. At the National Night Out event in West Salem, staff (pictured below) from Lakeview gave out stickers, playdough, candy, drinks, washable tattoos, and more to children.

Town Hall on Services for the Elderly

The Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of La Crosse County is hosting a Town Hall with state lawmakers on Monday, August 31, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Black River Beach Neighborhood Center, La Crosse.

Community members are invited to share their perspectives on aging services and learn how state policies affect older adults and caregivers. To RSVP, call 608‑785‑5700. Those unable to attend can send written testimonials to adrc@lacrossecounty.org.

Bryan Meyer has spent 50 years in the surveying profession. He has served as La Crosse County’s Surveyor since 2008 and recently became the County’s Survey and Land Information Manager. County Surveyors maintain hundreds of markers that help determine land ownership, but their work goes far beyond that. We asked Bryan to share why the role matters and how it supports our local property system.

You've worked as a surveyor for 50 years. What were you making when you started?

In the summer of 1976, working for my uncle in Tomah, I earned $2.50 an hour. Minimum wage was $2.35, so I felt pretty lucky.

What made you want to continue as a surveyor?

I loved being outside, thinking through puzzles, digging for old survey markers, and researching deeds. It felt like being part detective and part archaeologist.

A big part of a County Surveyor's job is maintaining survey markers. Why are survey markers such a big deal?

They are how we know where property lines actually are. Surveying is the hidden infrastructure of property ownership and even the foundation of how property taxes work.

What’s changed the most over your career?

The equipment. I started with a 300‑foot steel tape and a transit. Then came electronic distance meters. Now we use GPS and satellites. What used to take a three-person crew can often be done by one person.

Do you feel connected to history doing this work?

Yes. Surveyors like to say we walk in the footsteps of those who came before us. Sometimes we stand in the exact spot where someone stood 150 years ago.

What is one thing the public should know about surveying?

It is harder than it looks. You are solving a giant puzzle with deeds that are not always written clearly. Making everything fit can take more work than people realize.

Peterson Sworn-In as Chief Deputy

Marte Peterson was sworn in as Chief Deputy of the La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office by County Clerk Ginny Dankmeyer last week. Chief Deputy Peterson began his career as a jailer with the Sheriff’s Office in 2001. He moved to patrol in 2004, was promoted to sergeant in 2014 and then Captain in 2020. He replaces Mike Horstman, who recently retired after 37 years of service with the Sheriff's Office.