Town of Sheboygan considers creating its own police department
A contract with the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office is another potential option
TOWN OF SHEBOYGAN — Town officials are working to decide whether to form its own law enforcement agency or contract with other law enforcement agencies.
The first public discussion for a town police department surfaced in February 2024.1
Currently, the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement services. Code Enforcement Officer Steve Wimmer and Code Enforcement Administrator Linda Gruenke addresses nuisance properties and code violations within the town. Before transitioning to Code Enforcement Officers, the town had elected constables. Mark Heronymus was the most recent Town Constable before the town made the switch. He retired as a deputy sheriff in 2010 after 27 years of service.
The town also considered contracting with the Kohler Police Department but it was not a feasible option. The town is also considering a contract with the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office to have three dedicated deputies assigned to the town.2 Sheriff Matt Spence has not yet provided cost estimates to the town on that proposal.
The proposals are being by the town’s Public Safety Committee. Their mission is to develop a fiscally responsible plan that meets the current and future public safety needs of the Town of Sheboygan. The process is still in its early stages and no decisions have been made. The committee is meeting monthly to review proposals.
Any plan would need to be approved by voters in a referendum.
City officers patrolling the town
Kip Ertel, a citizen member on the Public Safety Committee, revealed on Tuesday evening that he was approached by someone about the possibly of having the Sheboygan Police Department patrol the town. Other committee members were not in favor of contracting with the city for law enforcement.
“I would not want to see the city in my neighborhood,” said Supervisor Tim Winkel, who serves as Vice Chair of the committee.
“From my standpoint, I don’t know if I want to see a City of Sheboygan police car patrolling the Town of Sheboygan after all of the annexation issues,” said Town Chairman Dan Hein. He favors some short of arrangement with the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office. Former Fire Chief Ed Biederwolf had concerns about the public’s perception if the town were to have city police officers in the town.
The costs
The Town of Sheboygan budgeted $689,510 for public safety related costs this year, which is a 19.3% increase from 2024. That amount includes funding for the volunteer fire department and Code Enforcement Officers.
If the Town of Sheboygan were to create its own law enforcement agency with a full-time police chief with two full-time officers and two part-time support employees, the the estimated personnel cost in 2026 would be nearly $326,000. The cost would increase to $366,523 by 2030. Two patrol vehicles, fuel costs, equipment and miscellaneous expenses would be $913,723 in 2026. Come 2030, the cost is estimated at $732,139.
For a full-time chief, three part-time officers and one part-time support employee, the estimated personnel cost in 2026 would be $207,146. By 2030, the cost would increase to $226,157. There has been no public discussion on how a part-time police department would function or operate. All options are still on the table and being reviewed by multiple parties.
The Town of Sheboygan purchased the building at 4738 North 40th Street for $750,000 from Chad Grasse. The building, located just north of the Town Hall, could be used for a public safety facility.
Follow WKTS News on Facebook and Instagram for the latest local news.
Sources
Town Board Minutes for February 20, 2024
Town of Sheboygan
Town Board Minutes for December 23, 2024
Town of Sheboygan