SHAWANO, WI- Shawano County leaders moved forward this week with a major step toward what could become the largest construction project in county history, as supervisors debated borrowing limits tied to a proposed courthouse and jail project.
The Shawano County Board ultimately approved the initial borrowing resolution for the project on a unanimous 27–0 vote, signaling full support from supervisors to move the $121 million courthouse and jail proposal into the next phase of planning and design.
The County Board reviewed an initial resolution authorizing the issuance of general obligation promissory notes for the project, with a borrowing cap of up to $121 million. Officials emphasized that the action does not immediately borrow money, but instead sets a “not-to-exceed” limit that would allow the project to move into the next design phase.
Public comment reflects mixed views
Residents addressed the board ahead of the vote, sharing both support and concerns about the scale and cost of the project.
Shawano resident Dick Karth said he initially approached the proposal with skepticism but was persuaded after touring the current jail facilities.
“I was swayed that there are issues that need to be dealt with in the county,” Karth said, noting the jail requires significant updates and that a third judgeship is expected in the future. However, he urged officials to reconsider demolishing the existing courthouse building, suggesting refurbishment could save taxpayer money.
“I am proposing that a very deep dive be done on this building to determine what the real deficiencies are and what it would cost to fix those,” he said.
Another resident, Collin Pomplun, told supervisors he believes constructing a new facility is the better long-term investment.
“The problems that we’re having in these buildings are so extreme that even refurbishing would cost almost as much as building new,” Pomplun said. “If taxpayers are going to fund this, it should be for a building designed to last 75 to 100 years.”
What the borrowing resolution means
County officials explained that supervisors were not approving borrowing itself, but establishing a financial ceiling tied to the project scope. The resolution would allow planning and detailed design work to continue before competitive bidding begins.
The two project options discussed include:
- An approximately $88.5 million phase focused on the courthouse and essential jail intake and support areas.
- A broader $121 million option that also includes a 150-bed housing unit, which officials say could generate operational savings and potential revenue from housing inmates from other counties.
With the approval of the borrowing limit, the project now moves into detailed design, followed by a competitive bidding process broken into multiple bid packages to encourage participation from local contractors.
Supervisors voice support for moving forward
Several supervisors spoke in favor of the larger proposal, citing safety, efficiency, and long-term planning.
Supervisor Jim Przybylski called the project an investment in future generations.
“It will hurt a little, but the age-old saying ‘no pain, no gain’ has merit,” he said.
Listen to Supervisor Jim Przybylski’s comments.
Supervisor Joe Miller pointed to long-standing facility concerns dating back decades and said the need for expansion has been known for years.
“I bet they wish they had that third floor now,” he said, referencing earlier decisions not to expand the existing facility.
Listen to Supervisor Joe Miller’s comments.
Other supervisors emphasized the importance of addressing aging infrastructure, improving safety for staff and the public, and positioning the county for future growth.
Listen to Supervisor Tess Serrano’s comments.
Listen To Supervisor Randy Mallman’s comments.
Listen To Supervisor Tom Kautza’s comments.
Next steps
Now that the borrowing resolution is approved, the project will move into several months of detailed design work, coordination with state agencies, and preparation of bid documents. Final borrowing decisions would return to the board later as part of a multi-year financing strategy.
County leaders said the project timeline and ultimate costs will be refined as the design and bidding process continues.
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