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Marathon County administrator reviews 2024 work plan; executive committee to rank 2025 priorities
Summary
The Marathon County administrator presented a summary of the 2024 completed work plan and asked the Executive Committee to prioritize items for a 2025 proposed work plan, highlighting onboarding needs, the Regional Forensic Science Center transition, and operational issues including solid waste leachate management and the RNG plant.
The Marathon County administrator presented a summary of the 2024 completed work plan and asked the Executive Committee to prioritize items for a 2025 proposed work plan, highlighting onboarding for new department heads, capital and facilities matters, the Regional Forensic Science Center transition, and operational projects such as solid waste leachate management and the RNG plant.
The administrator asked committee chairs to rank projects in subcategories and then provide a top-five list of priorities across all categories so staff can allocate resources. He said many projects are ongoing and that staff will need direction on what the County Board considers highest priority.
Key items discussed
Onboarding and staffing: The administrator said several key positions require onboarding and attention, naming interim Veteran Service Officer Aaron Galindo and new Register of Deeds Jenny Lemmer and noting a new district attorney and a forthcoming chief medical examiner for the Regional Forensic Science Center. "I need to do a better job of that and devote more time to it," he said.
Work-plan prioritization: The administrator asked committee chairs to prioritize within each subcategory (facilities, budget/finance, operations, etc.) and then return a consolidated top-five list. He said he will circulate a software tool or form to facilitate ranking.
Solid waste and RNG plant: Supervisors asked to add leachate management and solid waste financial oversight to the work plan. The administrator agreed to place leachate management under budget/finance projects and noted the RNG plant’s operational performance will affect the solid waste fund’s financial outlook.
Airport finances: Supervisors raised concern about the airport’s use of reserves and declining enplanements; the administrator confirmed discussions with the airport director and noted long-term sustainability of airport reserves should be examined.
ARPA spending and audits: Supervisor Robinson reminded the committee that ARPA-encumbered funds must be spent by Dec. 31 of the upcoming year (as stated during the meeting) or risk forfeiture. Committee members asked staff to track ARPA spending and audit timing.
Administrator evaluation process
The chair reviewed procedural rules for evaluating the county administrator. The Executive Committee conducts the evaluation in odd-numbered years; in even-numbered years the full board is involved. Corp. Counsel Mike Purner distributed the evaluation form by email; the chair asked members to return evaluations by Feb. 1 so staff can summarize results for a closed-session review.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to approve minutes of the Dec. 19, 2024 Executive Committee meeting — mover: Supervisor Marash; second: Supervisor Drabek; outcome: approved by voice vote (motion carries). - Motion to adjourn — mover: Supervisor Drybak; second: Supervisor Arstead; outcome: approved by voice vote.
Ending
Committee members agreed to receive the administrator’s prioritization tool and return ranked lists so staff can draft the 2025 work plan. The administrator said he will add solid waste leachate management to the finance projects list and will produce a consolidated draft for the committee to refine.
