County board approves $6 annual charge for private septic maintenance after heated debate

Marathon County supervisors voted Sept. 18 to amend Chapter 15 of the county code and to impose a $6 annual special charge on properties that have private on‑site wastewater systems to fund the county’s septic maintenance program.

Zoning administrator Chad Harvey presented the ordinance changes, which included corrected cross‑references to the county’s separated shoreland and floodplain codes, clarifications that structures intended for human habitation must have a septic plan, replacement of references to a now‑sunset state grant program and a new mechanism to levy a $6 special charge on properties with private septic systems to support the maintenance program. Harvey said the maintenance program costs about $125,000 per year to operate.

The board first approved a set of ordinance updates that excluded the fee, then took a separate vote on the $6 charge. The fee measure passed but was not unanimous. Several supervisors said they opposed adding a new charge on property owners who already pay inspection or pumping costs, while supporters said the fee shifts costs from the general levy to the properties that directly benefit and helps cover a state‑mandated program.

What the ordinance does - Code changes: Corrects references within county code following recent shoreland/floodplain ordinance reorganizations, removes references to the Wisconsin Fund grant program (which presenters said had been sunset in the state budget) and updates the county definition references to conform with the state code. - Maintenance fee: The separate measure establishes a $6 annual special charge on properties with private on‑site wastewater systems; the fee is billed as a special charge on the property tax bill and is intended to raise roughly the program’s operating cost (Harvey cited an estimated program cost of roughly $125,000). - State mandate: Presenters said the county operates the maintenance program because of state requirements; the program tracks systems and requires maintenance or pumping on a three‑year cycle.

Board debate and context - Opponents’ concerns: Supervisors representing rural townships said many constituents are already facing inspection or pumping fees (inspect/pump costs were described as roughly $100–$400), and that adding a new special charge would burden residents. Some supervisors opposed adding more fees rather than reducing other budget items. - Supporters’ arguments: Supporters said the $6 charge recovers the direct cost of a county program that benefits properties with septic systems and reduces pressure on the general property tax levy; HR/Fiscal Committee members said many fees across county government are being evaluated to better align costs with beneficiaries. - Enforcement and compliance: Harvey said the county issues maintenance notices and works with owners to obtain maintenance; historically about 500 property owners per year did not meet deadlines but enforcement and outreach have reduced that number in recent years.

Formal actions - The board approved ordinance 43‑25 (amendments to Chapter 15 of the Marathon County General Code of Ordinances) with updated statutory references and related changes (motion and recorded vote: passed, not unanimous). The $6 special charge was carried in a separate motion as ordinance 43‑25A (motion passed, not unanimous).

What to watch for - Implementation details: The county will place the $6 charge on property tax bills as a special charge; exact revenue and any corresponding levy adjustments were discussed but the board did not make additional levy changes at the meeting. - Appeals and waivers: The ordinance and the meeting did not specify waiver or hardship processes beyond the department’s enforcement and outreach practice; property owners with questions were directed to the county zoning/CPC office.

Ending: The board approved the ordinance amendments and the $6 special charge by separate votes; county staff said they will implement billing and continue outreach and enforcement for the maintenance program.