[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6346931,"mediaKeyId","2246296-64f477a7b2c0bf98275f6b7beeabb54a","parentId",2246296,"title","Marathon County committee advances resolution to require build-out and short‑term‑rental limits on tax‑foreclosed parcels","audioSeconds",1594,"startMs",2333000,"endMs",3927000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246296-64f477a7b2c0bf98275f6b7beeabb54a&start=2333&end=3927","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246296-64f477a7b2c0bf98275f6b7beeabb54a/thumbnail_2333000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6346931/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Marathon-County-committee-advances-resolution-to-require-build-out-and-shorttermrental-limits-on-taxforeclosed-parcels","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346931-37fd86f580195b032c7d0e740d4df617/orig.mp4?Expires=1775405508&Signature=AqH4vhAQhaBYK~JuUxicLqqk2ELuav2cgKy3iEfyE~PqmtU7iU-2ZkgUNYgApEW9sg5RHwLYzQB6JgB3ZweMa2qAzC-xLvTyf6Ew1K9TfOmMBiurpbm3yTQIUPFi~1g68zCOTMRa2W1JCqtxd4W16yXYFVKxbhG0X4rFhvv3ZPLGfzEShBl802Wb0lpjMMs9QqfPkDOXszwrtT1zqZgoJTDW7ltV4V4ZAwlnX~-YyYOwIb9xOa4p1iRfGoqj3pYvKB1wOyCPqdKNSOWGJKOkYBW3UOUNFolArzrjZNHLRpiOpi7hMMTOTaGXF0xhr4zo0lJMCzT1JoKWLORXb4Wwmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-07T08:28:06.99Z","article","Marathon County's Extension Education and Economic Development Committee on Feb. 6 voted unanimously to forward two related measures to the Human Resources, Finance and Property Committee that would attach restrictive covenants to properties acquired through the county's tax‑delinquency process.

The measures, presented by County Administrator Mike, would (1) condition future sales of unimproved, buildable tax parcels on construction and occupancy within 24 months of purchase and (2) record covenants prohibiting short‑term rentals for 10 years on parcels sold by the county. The packet also included a draft ordinance amendment to Marathon County Code section 3.2 to reflect recent state law and U.S. Supreme Court guidance on disposition of tax‑delinquent property.

Committee members debated legal risk, enforcement and practical implementation. Administrator Mike said recent court and statutory developments require counties to return any sale proceeds exceeding unpaid taxes and costs to former owners, and Wisconsin law shortens the window for county sale of acquired parcels from 240 days toward 180 days by 2026. He suggested adding the new timelines to county code so future staff and boards see the requirement in writing.

Supervisor Rosenberg asked whether the covenants would reduce property values and create liability. Mike and other staff acknowledged such claims are possible but said recent local practice — using statewide surplus property listings and appraisals — has produced quick sales and could help show the county obtained fair market value. A county official said one practical protection is to obtain a certified appraisal assuming no covenants, and to document sales that equal or exceed that appraisal as evidence the covenant did not depress the sale price.

Committee members also discussed enforcement options if a buyer fails to build within 24 months. Staff described prior practice in which sale contracts included a repurchase right for the county and said recorded deed restrictions would follow a parcel to later owners, creating a recorded notice for subsequent buyers. Short‑term rental prohibition enforcement was described as more straightforward because short‑term rental licensing is already overseen by a county department; properties with covenants would be flagged so they could not receive a short‑term rental license.

Supervisor Lemmer raised whether the proposed changes are a temporary response to current market conditions or a long‑term policy; staff said they included both a standalone resolution and an ordinance change in the packet and recommended sending both to HR, Finance and Property for detailed review. Supervisor Rosenberg moved to advance both documents; Supervisor Lemmer seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Votes at a glance
• Motion to advance two related items on restrictive covenants (conditions of sale language; and conditions of sale plus proposed ordinance amendments to revise Code section 3.2) to HR, Finance and Property — Mover: Supervisor Rosenberg; Second: Supervisor Lemmer; Outcome: approved unanimously.
• Approval of prior meeting minutes (Jan. 9, 2025 Extension Education and Economic Development Committee) — Mover: Supervisor Rosenberg; Second: Supervisor Lemmer; Outcome: approved.

What happens next: Staff said either measure could proceed piecemeal or together; if the ordinance is amended staff intends to return detailed operational procedures to HR, Finance and Property, including appraisal practices, recording language for deed restrictions and enforcement options. The committee did not set a countywide enforcement protocol at the meeting; staff said they will draft recommended procedures and bring them to the next committee for review.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marathon County Extension, Education & Econ Development Committee Meeting - 2/6/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Marathon County's Extension Education and Economic Development Committee on Feb. 6 voted unanimously to forward two related measures to the Human Resources, Finance and Property Committee that would attach restrictive covenants to properties acquired through the county's tax‑delinquency process.","taxTitle","Marathon County, Wisconsin","taxId",4560,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6346928,"Local builder tells Marathon County committee permitting delays, land costs and third‑party reviews are major barriers to new housing",2287,58000,2345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246296-64f477a7b2c0bf98275f6b7beeabb54a&start=58&end=2345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246296-64f477a7b2c0bf98275f6b7beeabb54a/thumbnail_58000.jpg","/articles/6346928/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Local-builder-tells-Marathon-County-committee-permitting-delays-land-costs-and-thirdparty-reviews-are-major-barriers-to-new-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346928-e401d621a79350a780c89899bfb45ad4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775405508&Signature=EbI2rA3tWQ~QIdLMo5Bth8~RdjLyncYZ06qXPkPKcjThYRQe23p0TZtlTw~Ikdv6fSI~6xDZ7sSbQoN-0K-Gk-yBDbRR~sun9HQQ~g5ocZPC~bdwmp7o5CvHO-iwC7Jwjko8Nw6CKCwusnqaznmRAGhAWXucr7oDUYNIxvkhaKgHSVTm7qTmy2cymSFGUIZOilj9PX~AtluNHAL1tQfiio884I-LEs1KhKGUNlFbtKILnfdZWFCG8vI25aJLjTgG5b-nqaZY5TaF2mrjEFdnD9O02NMoPP7JjPwG-56FWxsLYpZyWwZMkVvPoB4Y0DNVfsO72PKfLyljmRXFl~3TnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Corey Sillers, a local home builder and former president of the Wisconsin Builders Association, told the Marathon County Extension Education and Economic Development Committee on Feb. 6 that multiple regulatory layers, limited buildable lots and rising materials costs are key barriers to increasing housing supply in area towns.

Sillers, who identified himself as a trustee for Red Mountain and a member of the Wausau School Board, said national studies his association uses show “$83,000 to $84,000 in a single new home that deals with regulation,” citing permitting, code requirements and wetlands/zoning constraints as drivers that increase costs. He described repeated delays caused by staggered reviews from local zoning, DNR and FEMA, which can add months to a project and raise financing and materials costs for buyers and builders.

Sillers gave several local examples: parcels adjacent to sewer and water in “Remountain” (as he described it) where landowners have declined to sell despite preliminary subdivision maps; a Remountain parcel beside Lake Wausau held up in permitting when FEMA requested a resubmission; and developer projects where builders retained lots rather than selling them, limiting the number of lots available to other builders. He also described local developer agreements that required private third‑party inspection, which added tens of thousands to initial costs in some projects.

Sillers proposed several remedies the committee could consider: streamlining permitting timelines and interagency coordination; encouraging creative financing or partnership arrangements so municipalities or townships could hold initial debt for infrastructure until lots sell; adopting incentives or covenants for tax‑delinquent parcels (a topic the committee later debated); and encouraging higher‑density infill such as two‑story townhouses where appropriate. He noted material and labor price inflation: “since July, August, there have been...doors, exterior doors, siding, windows, now shingles, everything...going up anywhere from 7 to 11%.”

Committee members asked about quality control and inspections. Supervisor Rosenberg asked how standards would be maintained without inspections and regulations; Sillers said apprenticeships, trade training and the market for reputable contractors are important, and that inspectors often serve as on‑the‑job teachers for less experienced builders. He also noted that an individual municipality can structure sale conditions, referencing Red Mountain’s prior experience requiring build‑out timelines on tax parcels.

Sillers left materials and guidance from state associations with the committee, including examples from the Builders Association, Realtors Association and the League of Municipalities on density and incentive programs. He offered to answer follow‑up questions by email or phone.

","Corey Sillers, a local builder and former Wisconsin Builders Association president, told the Extension Education and Economic Development Committee that multiple overlapping regulations, uncertain landowner willingness to sell, infrastructure costs and rising materials/labor costs are constraining new home construction in the county.","actionData","errors"]

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Marathon County committee advances resolution to require build-out and short‑term‑rental limits on tax‑foreclosed parcels

Local builder tells Marathon County committee permitting delays, land costs and third‑party reviews are major barriers to new housing