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Committee tables 3-month partnership agreement for Marshall Job Center pending analysis
Summary
The Finance, Budget and Personnel Committee voted to table a proposed three-month partnership agreement to operate the Marshall Job Center for Q1 2025 and requested more analysis on the program’s benefits and the city’s $15,000 budgeted contribution.
The Marshfield Finance, Budget and Personnel Committee on Jan. 2, 2025, voted to table a proposed three-month partnership agreement that would have covered operation of the Marshall Job Center for the first quarter of 2025 and the city’s share of staffing costs.
City Administrator Steve Barrack described the longstanding partnership among the city, the North Central Wisconsin Workforce Development Board and the state’s workforce development office. Barrack said the partners currently share the cost of a part-time staffer who supports the job center and that the city has typically paid about $15,000 annually toward the position. "The state's responsibility is really technical in nature. They provide some technical assistance with respect to internet and phones," Barrack said, and he described a proposed three-month agreement so the partners could reassess space and funding options before committing to a full year.
Council member Bridal asked whether the three-month agreement committed the city to the full $15,000 and noted the budgeted contribution assumed roughly $8,000 in annual lease revenue. "Right now, we're paying 15,000, and we're getting a little over half of that back with lease revenue," Barrack said. He said the three-month agreement would cover the first quarter while partners explore whether the job center might relocate.
Council member Rangel moved to amend the motion and table the proposed agreement to allow staff to provide more analysis on the benefits and whether the $15,000 investment is worthwhile; Council member Grama seconded the amendment. The committee then voted to table the item; the chair announced the motion carried.
Committee members said they wanted additional numbers showing the job center’s direct benefit to Marshall residents, and noted the possibility of backfilling the space with a paying tenant if the job center relocates. Council member Spyros said the effective city cost could be about $7,000 once lease revenue is counted and supported additional analysis. The committee did not adopt the three-month agreement at the meeting and asked staff to bring more detail for a future agenda.
