Planners add regional partners to intergovernmental chapter; discussion on TIF and coordination with state/federal agencies

Staff reviewed Chapter 12 (Intergovernmental Cooperation), noting additions such as Northcentral Healthcare, a regional forensic center and solid-waste facilities that were not in the 2016 plan.

Laurie Kimmons asked supervisors to check the chapter for other regional partners that might be missing. "We did go through and add, but I still feel like every day we're talking to someone and realizing there is more," she said.

Discussion included continued regional issues such as service consolidation, tax-based competition, transportation and zoning coordination. Supervisor John Robinson recommended expanding the chapter's discussion of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as an intergovernmental tool and applying standards to its use; Supervisor Pfeiffer and others cautioned that a comprehensive plan sets policy guidance and is not itself an ordinance, suggesting any stronger requirements should be framed as objectives rather than mandates.

Supervisor Marash cited an example from Oneida County that would require federal and state agencies using public funds to coordinate land-use activities with county comprehensive plans. Staff said they would review that language and consider whether maps or additional text about state and federal lands should be added; they noted Marathon County has comparatively less federal land but will take the suggestion under advisement.

Planners also said they had looked into the Federal Lands Access Program for possible transportation alignment but were awaiting responses from the Department of Transportation. No changes to county policy were adopted at the meeting; staff will refine chapter text and consider the recommended additions.