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Steele County Sheriff’s Race 2022

Sheriff's election, owatonna, steele county, lon thiele, helget
Sheriff candidates share budget experience
By
Kay Fate, Staff Writer

In an effort to keep our readers as informed as possible about the upcoming election and the choices they are offered, we are asking the candidates of several races to weigh in on the issues.

That includes the race for Steele County Sheriff. Incumbent Sheriff Lon Thiele is facing challenger Darrin Helget, who is currently a deputy sheriff for the SCSO.

Every week through Nov. 2, we will publish the answer to a weekly question, designed just for the sheriff candidates. There will be a word limit; the only editing we’ll do is if the answer is too long.

We sincerely hope this is beneficial to you, our reader, about the issues affecting Steele County, where the candidates stand and how they may address those concerns.

Here's this week's question:

The Steele County Sheriff will deal with an expected budget of more than $7 million. What are your qualifications for dealing with a number that size, and what plans do you have to be both fiscally responsible, yet take care of perceived needs in the department?

Answers were limited to 300 words.

 

Steele County Deputy Darrin Helget: My qualifications to oversee the Steele County Sheriff’s Office budget are the same as all my predecessors’ when they became sheriff. In addition to that, my wife and I have run our household budget. While a board member for Owatonna Huskies Bullpen Club, I developed a budget as Minor League Director. I also have a farming business with my brother and oversee the financial aspects of this business. I have run two campaigns on slim budgets.

I will diligently monitor the budget and spending of the sheriff’s office. With the assistance of jail administration, the jail budget will also be a priority. I will evaluate the needs versus the “wants” of the sheriff’s office. There will be no frivolous spending on personalizing promotional items, such as Junior Deputy stickers. While these types of items can be beneficial to reach out to young persons, this can be done without personalization. These items will also not be used as personal campaign items as they have been.

I will look at the current needs as well as the future needs. Equipment must be maintained as well as updated as necessary to prevent issues when needed most. The largest portion of the budget is on personnel: wages and benefits. Employees are the biggest asset and must be treated as such.

The budget is also overseen by other individuals. With the assistance of the Chief Deputy and other key members of the sheriff’s office, the needs of the department can be identified and prioritized. Work sessions within the county administration will also assist with the budgeting before being finalized/approved by the commissioners. I am not afraid to seek the assistance as needed.

As a taxpayer myself, I have an interest in how our tax dollars are spent.

 

Steele County Sheriff Lon Thiele: I was a chief of police prior to returning home to Owatonna. As the chief of police, I completed the Minnesota Chief Law Enforcement Officer CLEO Academy.

Some of the courses were Budget Preparations and Management. I attended several grant-writing courses too. The courses were great groundwork for managing and understanding detailed expenses of millions of dollars. I also focused on other managerial accounting courses while attending Northwestern University.

Since being elected Sheriff in 2010, I’ve initiated creative ways to ensure fiscal accountability to the taxpayer dollars and maintain public safety to all residents. I’ve replaced antiquated and necessary items by being mindful of the budget and successful with writing grants.

Items listed below are some past and present examples of how I’ve already reduced costs associated to the Capital Improvement Plan and budget.

  • $10,000.00 grant to reimburse a depleted investigation budget during a murder investigation.
  • $12,000.00 DNR grant to update watercraft and safety equipment.
  • $78,000.00 grant to update the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operation trailer and pickup.
  • $41,000.00 grant for a Skytron UV machine assisting the decontamination processes during COVID.
  • $41,000.00 grant to update Automated External Defibrillator (AEDs) for the sheriff’s office and squad cars.
  • $42,000.00 grant for (2) Cellsense Metal Detectors for the Detention Center.
  • $37,500.00 by selling a Thompson machine gun to a private museum. The funds from the sale purchased a squad car.
  • $263,000.00 grant to purchase and replace 66 portable radios for the sheriff’s office.
  • $120,000.00 grant for a School Resource Officer in Medford.
  • Implemented the squad car Fleet Enterprise Management Program, saving $136,000.00 the first 4 years.
  • Utilized forfeiture funds to remodel and update the sheriff’s office and safety equipment.

The last 12 years, I’ve proven my responsibility and stewardship of taxpayer dollars by remaining within my budget of over $7 million yearly.

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