MADISON, Wis. — Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett is offering a temporary staffing concession to help meet the county’s 2027 budget targets, while warning that a permanent reduction could prevent the county’s new jail from opening. Barrett has proposed freezing six vacant deputy positions and 13 positions intended for future hires. The move responds to County Executive Melissa Agard’s request that county departments collectively reduce general-purpose revenue spending by $10 million in 2027. Nearly $2 million of that reduction is expected to come from the Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff said the positions would need to return in 2028, when the county expects to open a new jail facility. “We need those back for 2028 as we’re opening a new jail,” Barrett said. The jail project has been delayed and scaled back after disagreements over its capacity. In July, Barrett said the existing jail would have to remain open because the Dane County Board rejected his request for additional beds at the new facility. Board Chair Patrick Miles said the county should focus on keeping people out of jail rather than expanding detention capacity. Barrett has described the current jail as “borderline unconstitutional,” citing conditions that he says make replacement urgent. He warned that without the frozen positions restored, the new facility may not be able to operate. “I think the community would be very upset, and there would be straight outrage if taxpayers paid 200 plus million dollars for a facility that doesn’t open,” Barrett said. The budget debate also includes a long-standing request for body-worn cameras for sheriff’s deputies. Barrett said he believes renewed support could lead to the cameras being included in the county’s budget, although he said the push gained momentum only after a fatal incident in the community. “That is something that we put forth every single year that I’ve been sheriff here, and it has not been put into the budget,” Barrett said. “I believe there will be some decisions that are made that will equip our deputies with body-worn cameras. The sad part is, it took the tragic death of someone here in our community to get to this point.” The 2027 budget guidelines set up a broader contest over how Dane County will balance fiscal limits with staffing needs, public safety equipment and the costs of a jail project that has already exceeded $200 million. The County Board will ultimately weigh the executive’s proposed reductions and the sheriff’s request to restore staffing before the 2028 facility comes online.