Marathon County–Wausau task force directs staff to draft short‑ and long‑term shelter, municipal engagement recommendations

At a Wausau meeting of the Marathon County–Wausau Homelessness Task Force, members voted unanimously to ask county administration and city staff to prepare two items for the task force’s next meeting: (1) a short‑term recommendation to address an anticipated gap in local shelter services after April 30, and (2) a long‑term, systemwide strategy to guide municipal engagement and sustainable funding.

Task Force Chair McElhinney moved to answer “yes” to whether local demographic data warrants developing a formal mechanism to engage surrounding municipalities; members amended that motion to direct administrators and staff to bring back both a short‑term and a long‑term recommendation. The amended motion passed by voice vote; members responded “aye” and the chair declared the motion approved.

Members discussed urgency and context. City representatives said Catholic Charities currently operates the community warming center and that, without new city or partner funding, that year‑round sheltering would end after the organization’s funding period. Several task force members highlighted the need for a stop‑gap shelter option while a multi‑jurisdictional strategic plan is developed. Chief Burns, city staff and other members emphasized metrics and measurable outcomes for any short‑term funding request.

Task force members asked county and city staff to return to the group with a written recommendation that includes a short‑term funding/operations option (an RFP or similar procurement pathway was discussed) and a longer‑term plan for how surrounding municipalities would be engaged financially and operationally. The task force set its next meeting for Wednesday, January 22 at 3 p.m. at the Marathon County Courthouse and closed the meeting after adopting the motion.