Council approves $47,000 transfer to fund cost-share for business development director position

The Marshfield Common Council approved a budget resolution on Feb. 25 to transfer $47,000 from the general-fund contingency to Fund 205 (economic development) to pay the city's prorated share of a cost-shared business development director position administered by the Marshfield Area Chamber Foundation (referred to in the packet as Mackey). The motion carried following a motion by Alderman Stauber and a second by Alderman Karan.

City Administrator Steve Bard reviewed the position's history: the role has been funded as a cost share between the city and the Marshfield Area Chamber Foundation for many years, and the city has paid a varying share of wages and benefits; the most recent budget process had left the funds in contingency pending further discussion. Bard said the Chamber foundation had identified a candidate and requested the city move funds from contingency into an expendable account to permit payment on a prorated basis once hired.

Bard summarized prior procedural steps: on Jan. 14 a similar budget resolution failed to reach the seven-vote threshold required for a budget amendment; on Feb. 4 the finance/budget/personnel committee unanimously tabled the issue pending a candidate. With the Chamber's request and a candidate identified, staff returned the resolution for council approval. Bard said the transfer would cover the city's prorated portion for the remainder of the year and that final cost-sharing would reflect the candidate's start date and prorated pay.

The council voted to approve "budget resolution 01-2025 as drafted," and the motion passed. No amendment to the motion was recorded.