[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6552133,"mediaKeyId","5131942-1240a8fd513c5efa2d7f36cae120378f","parentId",5131942,"title","McDevco reports revolving loan fund nearly drawn; $120,000 remains from county portion","audioSeconds",38,"startMs",3863000,"endMs",3901000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131942-1240a8fd513c5efa2d7f36cae120378f&start=3863&end=3901","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131942-1240a8fd513c5efa2d7f36cae120378f/thumbnail_3863000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6552133/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/McDevco-reports-revolving-loan-fund-nearly-drawn-120000-remains-from-county-portion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552133-61fd1887f7263b3467fc54dfeca19787/orig.mp4?Expires=1775405506&Signature=cdIHAMZ-Z8a023mmWuM77ePyB8JKfQq5cUUTHB54X3XCY~U-FQHuvvy1Fh-yoAxqHdOnnjykdMKxlY8JkvbdaWaAZ03KsE~k2Pc2ziBU9aES5AuCdcABXPM26aYpKByHSZPU~zOsR8hEAs41dNRV6rdiXJARo5Hp4~kd~QOMT3pv7X8QuyT2P4RTrKz-6ymZRRw1o1vRW18c9pm3Ifq0mzH11zmjuoU0KdLB1ooUPTcg35vOjx7Ofcu4QLXBb6q3ro5rxU7FFmSkkdfqX-h00vzXwYmYpaSWDTbFYHwTXpbbWziZ0zCD6yZxvcLqUAlhOYPAH0qMvtQAL-~N6ejeow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Marathon County, WI","date","2025-07-01T21:47:31Z","article","Kim, representing McDevco, updated the committee on the Marathon County revolving loan fund created in 2019. The fund combined $1 million from the county and $1 million from private donor Judd S. Alexander; McDevco said the county portion has about $120,000 left to draw.

McDevco reported the remaining county funds indicate active lending and that additional committed funds are available to continue lending once the county portion is drawn. The committee received the report as informational; no committee action was taken.

Why it matters: Revolving loan funds provide gap financing to local businesses and influence local economic development activity. The county’s remaining balance indicates continued lending opportunities but approaching drawdown for the county portion.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marathon County Extension, Education, & Economic Development Committee Meeting - 7/3/2025","oneSentenceSummary","McDevco told the committee that a revolving loan fund created in 2019 has been active and the county portion has about $120,000 remaining to draw, with additional funds committed from private donors.","taxTitle","Marathon County, Wisconsin","taxId",4560,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552138,"UW Extension reports state funding cut will eliminate SNAP‑Ed positions statewide",54,3722000,3776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131942-1240a8fd513c5efa2d7f36cae120378f&start=3722&end=3776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131942-1240a8fd513c5efa2d7f36cae120378f/thumbnail_3722000.jpg","/articles/6552138/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/UW-Extension-reports-state-funding-cut-will-eliminate-SNAPEd-positions-statewide","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552138-d28c75a8e56308fe8f5cd93d9a14fc98/orig.mp4?Expires=1775405507&Signature=ZBHT38SptFyqgE49oechSaga~xZ5pemW7CANqVWyZkliIFjL1GW0M3I1AWSssgplaRlXHai3Ttg~bAMBkXlH7UUH6S7WGvrRkcD5SXHdHP484r7sZCsMEY5sPfTPTYQMkm5648ol4mwhktmSgQRGSLgmT8cZ5G2dVyvfYEBBSVfAnWDejN9hoZ5~vgekK23o3m6m2pVZsuy9hnDErMldcUmLJFatO8AEn0JLJI8J2wBuHLzj1W95fuUNw0xPYfh4p1MyLqDX8EquxC8oe3hfYGTr6bO3C~80Dftgo4L9rNjqlcRzkLunHyv7228qiBsMUoPt2MdBVdkQn3NHDVojbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","UW Extension reported to the Extension Education and Economic Development Committee that a change in the state budget process has removed funding for SNAP‑Ed (FoodWIse) personnel, a move that UW Extension staff said would result in the elimination of approximately 120 positions statewide.

Patrick, speaking for UW Extension, said the state assembly passed a version that eliminates funding for the personnel supporting the SNAP‑Ed program, though the program itself remains in statute. “The house did pass the final part of the bill that does eliminate the funding behind our SNAP Ed food wise personnel,” he said. “It's still elimination of 120 staff statewide.”

Why it matters: SNAP‑Ed (FoodWIse) supports nutrition education and related outreach; reductions in state funding will change how local Extension offices deliver programming and may increase pressure on county budgets or local partners to fill gaps.

Local impacts and partnerships
Extension staff said they will continue partnerships with local agencies including planning, zoning and ADRCs but that the funding loss will be a significant change for personnel statewide. The committee received the report as informational; no committee action was taken.

","UW Extension staff told the committee that the state House removed funding for SNAP‑Ed 'FoodWIse' personnel, which would eliminate roughly 120 statewide positions and affect local Extension programming.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552142,"Administrator says ECDC has expressed interest in Marathon Hall dormitory; building needs extensive work",1047,2798000,3845000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131942-1240a8fd513c5efa2d7f36cae120378f&start=2798&end=3845","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131942-1240a8fd513c5efa2d7f36cae120378f/thumbnail_2798000.jpg","/articles/6552142/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Administrator-says-ECDC-has-expressed-interest-in-Marathon-Hall-dormitory-building-needs-extensive-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552142-8ef8db010ba6067b132a4f0f3fd57b3e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775405507&Signature=Km0b2S5X0DFiulvdcYD97knoHrVdVeirM1ZN1pXvb5~E6y9~KpK9oP8vDn31-cGSXkOhqfK7E9eYRF8BS36VtFNWsDGEHveEOTl2rDLSY-B-qkc0cA9yWrf~SXJO~~QeR8z7OLuWakEtXQH7tPN4vLpyQwhEb39PX7y1Xlrvx4pM4yI7o1prCNi0JFUM3pQcRxXUcKsOH9qZjMOTcSpeZ9I~Y3caTIBjg8~e76FzxGwliU-xwBr-j~m8xao3y3SkqC4VOJR5tsk1isxUyRyU38S9XDcpcQB-vbfEOb4GuBAGnwBVn6e1CYe8qVmYRNfY2xLU8W9AwgMdXXv8D9e~YQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Administrator Leonard updated the Extension Education and Economic Development Committee on an expression of interest from the Economic Community Development Corporation (ECDC) to acquire and renovate the former Marathon Hall dormitory at 518 South Seventh Avenue in Wausau.

Leonard said ECDC’s expression of interest proposes using the building for temporary housing for newly arrived refugee families, supportive housing for students and short‑term housing for unhoused women, along with nonprofit and workforce development uses. ECDC indicated a willingness to renovate at its own cost and to return the building to the county if it fails to execute the plan.

Why it matters: The county has held the unused dormitory for years; options include demolition, sale, or a conditional transfer to a nonprofit. Staff said renovation or demolition would likely exceed the approximately $170,000 set aside in a dormitory fund.

Condition and risk
Leonard said facility staff prepared an assessment noting substantial condition issues. The structure is heavily concrete and would require significant investment to convert to individual housing units and meet code. “Suffice to say that building is in some rough shape,” Leonard said. He estimated that demolition alone could exceed the $170,000 dormitory fund balance and that renovation would likely require multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars.

ECDC proposal and staff caution
Leonard told the committee the HR Finance and Property Committee directed staff to engage with ECDC to gather more detail and suggested that a formal offer, if made, should include timelines and protections so the county is not left responsible for renovation. Leonard said ECDC has expressed confidence it could raise funds to renovate but staff have not reviewed ECDC financials and that a nonprofit typically would not disclose full financial statements.

Supervisor concerns and next steps
Supervisors asked about ECDC’s budget and long‑term viability, potential liability for remaining hazards (mold, asbestos) and whether the building shares campus utilities such as heat with other university buildings. Leonard confirmed the building is on the campus heating system and noted ECDC’s proposal acknowledges upgrades would be required. Several supervisors said they prefer a public process (RFP) that allows other nonprofits to submit proposals; others said they view ECDC’s interest as a low‑risk option compared with county demolition costs.

Leonard said staff will continue discussions, aim to meet with ECDC leadership, and return with a more detailed proposal; he added the committee requested a timeline that would allow any decision to be reflected in the upcoming budget if demolition or other action is necessary.

","County staff reported that the Economic Development Corporation (ECDC) has offered to pursue renovation of the former Marathon Hall dormitory in Wausau; staff warned the building has significant condition issues and demolition or major renovation could cost well more than funds currently set aside.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552145,"County administrator seeks committee input on 2026 budget priorities, fees and service levels",613,539000,1152000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131942-1240a8fd513c5efa2d7f36cae120378f&start=539&end=1152","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131942-1240a8fd513c5efa2d7f36cae120378f/thumbnail_539000.jpg","/articles/6552145/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/County-administrator-seeks-committee-input-on-2026-budget-priorities-fees-and-service-levels","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552145-1c052717120eac8081e38ecf33e517e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775405507&Signature=h9Z6eATG4xz1RGFg8BDW-7-QL~66JVJtXarOu7dyj0bqoC~3Cn1uz8aiCF8fZNcuZecEhitO~NjW84dKzzHCj2KsjuGlPzHlQPW297YDvfhZuFmtQrd001998VEnLcBP6h5U~gVNz4zr52ARgk1zd96aN-G3KTJS2z0K01CxbKaDJCzORDFRopWtmcGqIPrQCuuJ2bWkwmuOSLg2rJLf59FABNDcsYlOkk~iMxZj9TSgdS3W6E3NSowxLvXLZIsmNpzCPRRsRCB8szfvNq1gRNe8ZC9xm3bsQC2MLYG-q8HQkR1d0Vmtr3Gaz3-vtzeGvGadNRhjF3J8gjy14jNBTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Administrator Leonard and HR Finance and Property Committee Chair Robinson asked the Extension Education and Economic Development Committee to review programs under its purview and provide early direction to shape the 2026 Marathon County budget.

The request focuses on three policy questions: which programs and services the county should provide, at what service level (quality or timeliness), and what fees—if any—should be charged. Leonard said committees’ early input helps staff prepare the budget and advised members to consider funding sources when evaluating cuts or additions: “Not all dollars are the same,” he said, noting the county’s approximately $200 million budget and a roughly $55 million tax levy portion.

Why it matters: The committee oversees discretionary programs—libraries, UW Extension partnerships, parks and solid waste among them—and its guidance will shape budget tradeoffs, staffing, and fee proposals brought later to the full county board.

Key points from committee discussion
Administrator background: Leonard described three budget drivers: (1) what services the board directs staff to provide, (2) at what service level (quality or timeliness), and (3) fee policy. He pointed committee members to packet materials listing mandated versus discretionary programs and an appendix of current rates and fees.

Service‑level tradeoffs: Leonard used highway pavement maintenance as an example of a quality metric that drives prioritization and said timeliness goals (for example, permitting turnaround) would likely require additional staff. He also noted statutory limits on charging fees for certain services and cited the register of deeds as an office with statutorily set fees.

UW Extension and nonprofit partners: Leonard and supervisors discussed UW Extension’s contractual relationship with the county, which is executed through an annual contract and is common across Wisconsin counties. The committee was reminded that the library board has statutory autonomy over how levied funds are used.

Supervisor questions: Supervisor Limer asked how the committee should analyze ripple effects if funding or programs are cut. Leonard said staff can prepare impact analyses if given advance notice and clarified tradeoffs in staffing and service levels.

Next steps: Committees will provide input through early September and staff will return with answers and presentations requested in advance. The committee was asked to identify specific areas for deeper review and provide direction on fee increases, mandated services, and potential new services.

","County administration asked the Extension Education and Economic Development Committee to review mandated and discretionary programs, service levels and fees to help shape the 2026 Marathon County budget and to provide early policy direction.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":91,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552149,"Marathon County committee backs resolution directing county JRB representative on future TID approvals",2735,63000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5131942-1240a8fd513c5efa2d7f36cae120378f&start=63&end=2798","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5131942-1240a8fd513c5efa2d7f36cae120378f/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6552149/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Marathon-County-committee-backs-resolution-directing-county-JRB-representative-on-future-TID-approvals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552149-2a4fa06260ff87dcc9b708ef12f0c7b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775405507&Signature=Lsvg7Iq2E6CuxPyMAF3UYkyR2o8S5SkmgdPE6pmjooUrZHan5OUNbO~fM~-MUt~jjIVwzrmw39KQdwUFYebr8LlsqDcsa6xUcq20F1iRWxUJRpKuqZ8cpaFW5jJTa4ODFkT13rwZttRiYXIOGjOBNZos4bx6y1WnY2KDDcHXu-UJLCCCuLi-7XfJElJfEsD~aA75Iy9YJ2d2CpAl8pDVKX~56KYDhncSZSpU1SXrXBd7xXoLmEc3dj7is9vCK0M1VAoCpIBMWXHnvE-jVM8EjKELBpCfWFCcWVn26nAvTw97ACVbb0ojGF4zik39bZFYp9DMoA4lvuAplf1ycVc-mQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marathon County Extension Education and Economic Development Committee on Thursday approved a resolution directing the county's representative to tax incremental district joint review boards to apply criteria intended to speed taxpayer payback and ensure financial projections cover projected debt and investments.

The resolution passed after public comments urging reform of Tax Incremental Financing and extended discussion among supervisors about the role of state law and local oversight. Vice Chair Pfeifferich presented a revised version that removes a fixed 38‑year cap and instead instructs the county representative to “vote to set the termination date of any TID in a manner consistent with existing law and that benefits county government and the property taxpayers.” The motion was moved by Vice Chair Pfeifferich and seconded by Supervisor Hagen; the committee approved the resolution (exact vote tally not specified in the transcript). The committee chair announced the motion “passes” and noted it was “not unanimously.”

Why it matters: TIF/TID tools let municipalities finance infrastructure and development by capturing the increase in property taxes inside a district. Public commenters and several supervisors framed the debate around whether districts are being planned to return benefits within taxpayers' lifetimes and whether the county should give clearer direction to its joint review board (JRB) representative.

Public comment and the resolution's aims
Pete Weinshank, a Marathon County resident from Edgar, told the committee he reviewed Wausau’s Tax Incremental District No. 12 and concluded an average Marathon County homeowner would not see property‑tax payback on that district until 2074. “You could be a 33 year old who, just bought a house in Marathon County in 2017. You won't get paid back on the TID number 12 until you are 90 years old,” Weinshank said, noting Marathon County's average lifespan of 79.1 years and urging the committee to direct the county’s JRB representative to pursue quicker payback.

Dave Baker, identified as a village president, said uncertainty over the county’s recent actions on TID approval had prompted his village to pause formation of a proposed TID for a 110‑home residential subdivision that Baker said would add about $35 million in new construction. “I cannot justify spending personal or village resources on a potential new TIF TID district with the current level of county generated uncertainty and risk,” Baker said.

Supporters and skeptics in committee debate
Vice Chair Pfeifferich defended TIF as an economic development tool and urged stronger oversight and use of best practices rather than blanket restrictions. “Tax increment financing is a critical economic development tool, particularly in Wisconsin,” Pfeifferich said, adding the county should use criteria from the TIF manual and ensure project plans show projected debt and investments are recoverable within the district’s life.

Other supervisors urged caution about overstepping state statutes or substituting county rules for statutory provisions. Supervisor Lemmer said questions about TID structure and extensions are “where the advocacy should be happening, not really here.” Supervisor Rosenberg expressed concern about donor districts and extensions that can shift burdens onto taxpayers; Rosenberg asked how the resolution would prevent poorly performing districts from being propped up by transfers from successful districts.

Staff role and implementation considerations
County Administrator Leonard and county staff explained the resolution would give the county representative a set of criteria to apply when reviewing project plans. Leonard noted the need to balance any additional analysis with staff workload: “If Sam were to put together and, she is the designee to attend all of those meetings... That's 3 hours for each one of the 40. That's a hundred and 20 hours a year.” He asked the committee to be specific about what financial projections and calculations it expects staff to perform.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution providing direction to Marathon County's representative to tax incremental district joint review boards: Motion by Vice Chair Pfeifferich; second by Supervisor Hagen. Outcome: approved; exact vote tally not specified in the transcript; chair said “not unanimously.”
- Approval of committee minutes (June 5, 2025): Motion by Vice Chair Pfeifferich; second by Supervisor Rosenberg. Outcome: approved unanimously.

What’s next: The committee approved forwarding the resolution to the full county board for consideration. The resolution cites state statute and the TIF manual as guidance; supervisors discussed relying on statutory limits while using the resolution to set county expectations for the JRB designee.

","The Extension Education and Economic Development Committee approved a resolution instructing Marathon County's joint review board representative to apply specified criteria when evaluating future tax incremental districts, after public comment urging faster taxpayer payback and a lengthy committee debate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

McDevco reports revolving loan fund nearly drawn; $120,000 remains from county portion

UW Extension reports state funding cut will eliminate SNAP‑Ed positions statewide

Administrator says ECDC has expressed interest in Marathon Hall dormitory; building needs extensive work

County administrator seeks committee input on 2026 budget priorities, fees and service levels

Marathon County committee backs resolution directing county JRB representative on future TID approvals