Marathon County Board approves purchase of parcels for proposed highway facility after rejecting delay

The Marathon County Board of Supervisors voted to approve the county’s purchase of two parcels in the Village of Cronenwetter for a potential new highway facility after defeating a motion to postpone consideration and a related amendment seeking a special meeting before one of the offers expired.

Administrator Leonard said the county faced firm deadlines from the potential sellers: “the county is required to communicate formal acceptance of that offer to WPS no later than 05/01/2025,” and for a privately held parcel “that notice that we must provide of formal acceptance is May 10.” He warned that without board action staff would notify sellers that the county was turning down the offers.

The motion to postpone, offered by Supervisor Sandalski and seconded by Supervisor Marshall, would have delayed a final decision until the county’s May 15 meeting while directing administration to consult with the Village of Cronenwetter. Board members debated whether a postponement would effectively terminate the current offers. Board staff explained that a rejection would end the agreed price and require…