Marathon County’s Juvenile Facility, once closed because it wasn’t financially sustainable, is now thriving under a new business model, Sheriff’s Office officials say.
Marathon County Chief Deputy Bill Millhausen told the County’s Public Health and Safety Committee last week that finances at the facility have dramatically improved since they adopted a contract model with other counties that house youth inmates there.
The facility brought in $210,000 in revenue in 2021, and $204,000 in revenue in 2022 in the six months it was open. The county elected to closed the facility that year in the face of staffing shortages throughout the corrections division.
The juvenile facility reopened in 2023 under a new model in which counties contract up front with Marathon County. That led to roughly twice the number of counties using the facility and revenue of $1.19 million in revenue. “We’re pleased with where we’re at,” Millhausen said.
Millhausen said that if everyone currently begging vetted for jobs is ultimately hired, the corrections division will be fully staffed.
