BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Brown County Courthouse will soon be seeing a multi-million dollar change.
After decades of discussion regarding the security of the courthouse, the Brown County Board unanimously approved a single-point entry security system Wednesday night.
The $3.9 million resolution will also include security systems and staff.
“Is to put in an addition that would connect two of the county buildings, both the LEC building — which is where the District Attorney is — and the courthouse. And then there would be screening in-between those things, so that as you would enter into that screening area and then you can either go into the District Attorney’s office or enter into the courthouse,” explained Keith Deneys, Brown County Board supervisor.
Brown County is among the 12 most populous counties in the state, and the only one without security screening at its courthouse.
Deneys says this is necessary for the safety of our community.
“The state of our world, nowadays you just look around at everything happening,” he said. “We are one of the largest courthouses in the state and we aren’t secure.”
But safety comes with a price — about $3.9 million dollars. And there would also be a recurring cost of about $83,000 to staff the new addition.
“To hire limited-term employees, most likely retired law enforcement officers who still have law enforcement privileges, and then they would work part time in that area,” explained Deneys.
The project will be paid for by sales tax revenue.
Deneys hopes to break ground by fall.
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