Sheriff Luke Fleener and Deputy Sheriff Trevir Michehl are seeking the Republican nomination.There are no Democrats in the race, which means that the winner of the Republican primary is all but assured of taking the oath of office as sheriff in January.

Fleener is seeking his second term.

The Messenger submitted questions to both candidates, and their answers are printed here.

Luke Fleener

Position: Sheriff

Experience: Webster County sheriff since 2021. Has 30 years of service with te Webster County Sheriff’s Office. Previously served with the Dayton and Fort Dodge police departments and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

What would be your top priority if you are elected?

“When re-elected Webster County sheriff, we will continue to strive for excellence in all areas of law enforcement, that is our mission statement. It has always been a top priority of mine to provide the citizens of Webster County the best service possible when we are called upon. That is only possible by continuing to provide all of our employees; sworn personnel, correctional officers and dispatchers, with the best training opportunities and the best equipment to do the job they have been hired to do, serve our citizens.

“In addition, we have worked tirelessly to create a leadership driven environment within our department to develop and create the future leaders of our department. It is extremely important that the citizens of Webster County know that we have a plan and the dedicated staff to serve them for years to come.”

Would you advocate for the construction of a new jail?

“Last year we attempted to address the issues of the rising cost of housing inmates out of the county, and this cost is continuing to increase. If this trend continues, I believe we will have to address the new jail possibilities again.

“Last year’s referendum was an attempt to do that with the least possible tax impact we could make ($45 million); with the objective to address our overcrowding issue and expenditures. The voters of Webster County made the decision to continue with our current facility, and I respect that.

“I have always been transparent about these issues, and if this trend continues it will not be sustainable for the Webster County budget. Webster County services may suffer if we keep paying these costs, $400,000 yearly.

“If a new facility is discussed again, the overall cost will be an important element in how that facility will look and function. Some believe that if we attempt another referendum, it should be for a new Law Enforcement Center and I have always thought that is a great idea, it just comes with a higher price tag. I will continue to partner with our Board of Supervisors on the most fiscally responsible way of housing Webster County inmates. If we as Webster County citizens, are all willing to make a financial decision to minimize those expenses, then there will be another referendum opportunity.”

Do you think the Sheriff’s Office needs more deputies?

“We are currently fully staffed with our sworn personnel (21 certified). Yes, it would be great to have more deputies and detectives to help with our crime reduction efforts. Unfortunately, staffing levels are controlled by our budget and working within the budget to provide the best service possible is my main concern. During my first term as your sheriff, we added four additional deputies to our staff. We accomplished this by increasing our revenue and providing assigned deputies to the communities that chose to pay for contracted coverage. Our profession is struggling to find individuals that are willing to work in law enforcement, therefore when small communities lose their police chiefs to better paying jobs, other professions or retirement, they may ask to sign a contract with a sheriff’s office. When this happened to small communities in Webster County I welcomed the additional challenges of leading the law enforcement efforts in Dayton and Otho.

“We need to be creative when thinking about adding staff and to minimize the impact on our taxes. This can be accomplished by applying for grants and looking at other funding sources which is something I have been doing, and will continue to do for the next four years as your Webster County Sheriff.”

What would you recommend to increase ties between the Sheriff’s Office and citizens it serves?

“We are always looking for additional opportunities to interact with our citizens. Some community interaction examples that we have implemented is our School Resource Officer (SRO) program and our court security. The SRO partnership offers an opportunity for all of our deputies to stop at our county schools and interact with children and staff. Our SRO deputies attend graduations, field trips, and now have great relationships with kids, parents and teachers.

“We also implemented court security and screening. This not only provides a safer environment for Webster County employees and courthouse patrons, but it offers a friendly face and direction for citizens needing help or that might have questions. Over the next four years myself and the Sheriff’s Office staff will continue to attend Board of Supervisor meetings, City Council Meetings, and EMS/Fire meetings to answer questions and continue building relationships. Having an open line of communication to city officials, fire departments and EMS services is crucial to our success. We are also utilizing new technologies and procedures to increase our communication with the public. We’ve created a more interactive website and have an active social media account. We are in conversations with a phone app company that would add an avenue of communication for our citizens. These are all things we are doing and currently working on to provide the best service possible. As the Webster County Sheriff’s Office mission statement states: Our sworn and civilian staff work diligently to leverage all available resources and partnerships to enhance our ability to provide top quality service to build and strengthen relationships with our citizens. This will always be our focus during my next term as your Webster County sheriff.”

Trevir Michehl

Position: Deputy sheriff

Experience: Webster County deputy since 2017. Previously served in the Okoboji and Webster City police departments, was a reserve police officer in Gowrie, and jailer in Webster County. Started law enforcement career in 2003 as a Webster County reserve deputy.

What would be your top priority if you are elected?

“The utmost priority is to ensure the safety and security of the community. This entails the implementation of highly effective crime prevention strategies, close collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, and the promotion of community engagement to establish trust and cooperation.

“Simultaneously, building a positive relationship between law enforcement and the community is crucial. This can be achieved through open communication, transparency, and the implementation of community-oriented policing initiatives. By actively engaging with community leaders, organizations, and residents, a strong sense of partnership and mutual trust can be fostered.

“These are just a few examples of top priorities, and the specific focus areas may vary depending on the needs and challenges of the community.”

Would you advocate for the construction of a new jail?

“When evaluating the construction of a new correctional facility, there are several crucial factors that need to be taken into consideration:

“First and foremost, the pressing need for additional capacity must be acknowledged. The current jail facilities are suffering from severe overcrowding, rendering them incapable of adequately meeting the demands of the community. The construction of a new jail has the potential to alleviate this problem significantly. By incorporating state-of-the-art security measures and technology, a new facility would ensure the safety of both inmates and staff alike. Moreover, a newly constructed jail can be designed with a primary focus on rehabilitation, offering inmates access to resources and programs that facilitate their successful reintegration into society.

“However, it is essential to recognize that the construction of a new jail entails a substantial financial investment. Therefore, it is imperative to carefully consider the associated costs and ensure that sufficient funding is available for both the initial construction and ongoing operations. Additionally, it is worth exploring alternative approaches to incarceration, such as diversion programs, community-based sentencing, and restorative justice practices. These alternatives have the potential to directly address the underlying causes of crime and potentially decrease the need for new jail construction.

“Ultimately, the decision to proceed with the construction of a new jail should be made after a comprehensive evaluation of the specific needs and circumstances of the community. It is crucial to consider a diverse range of perspectives and thoroughly explore alternative strategies for addressing crime and incarceration.

Do you think the Sheriff’s Office needs more deputies?

“When assessing the requirement for additional deputies in the Sheriff’s Office, various factors come into play.

“The size of the county’s population and geographical area are crucial in determining the need for increased law enforcement presence. In larger counties with higher populations, it may be necessary to have a greater number of deputies. The incidence and characteristics of crime within the county are also significant considerations. Higher crime rates may indicate the need for more deputies to ensure public safety and effectively respond to criminal activities. The workload of the Sheriff’s Office is carefully evaluated to determine if the current staffing levels are adequate. This evaluation takes into account factors such as the volume of service calls, ongoing investigations, and administrative responsibilities. The availability of financial resources is an important factor to consider as well. Budget constraints may limit the ability to hire additional deputies, and decisions must be made within the allocated budget to maintain fiscal responsibility.

“By carefully assessing these factors, the Sheriff’s Office can make well-informed decisions regarding the need for additional deputies. This ensures that the specific needs and priorities of the community are effectively addressed.

What would you recommend to increase ties between the Sheriff’s Office and the citizens it serves?

“Organize regular community gatherings, such as town hall meetings, open houses, and Neighborhood Watch programs, to facilitate frequent interaction between law enforcement officers and the public. These initiatives create a welcoming and accessible environment for citizens to engage with law enforcement.

“Promote transparent and effective communication channels between the Sheriff’s Office and the community. This can be achieved through the dissemination of informative newsletters, maintaining an active presence on various social media platforms, and appointing a dedicated community liaison officer. The liaison officer will address citizen concerns and provide timely updates on law enforcement activities.

“Implement enhanced security measures in schools to safeguard and educate the youth. This will involve Implementing a National Association of School Resource Officer (NASRO qualified) to be placed in our school system to mentor, educate, and address immediate safety concerns with the school. Having a selected Deputy being the School Resource Officer (SRO) that builds the trust of our youths. The selection process for school policing programs should be a collaborative effort between the law enforcement agency and the school administration.

“By implementing these recommended strategies, the Sheriff’s Office can forge stronger connections with the individuals it serves, cultivating trust, collaboration, and a shared dedication to ensuring public safety.”