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Committee approves transfer of excess Highway P right‑of‑way to Bethany Mennonite Church with cost reimbursement condition
Summary
Marathon County’s infrastructure committee unanimously approved transferring roughly 0.2 acres of excess right‑of‑way along County Highway P to Bethany Mennonite Church while retaining a 75‑foot-wide maintenance corridor; the church will pay survey, deed and closing costs.
Marathon County’s Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously June 5 to transfer a small parcel of excess right‑of‑way adjacent to County Highway P in the town of Hope to Bethany Mennonite Church, provided the church reimburses the county for associated survey and closing costs.
County staff said portions of the church’s parking lot and building encroach on county property created when Highway P was straightened in 1954. Staff recommended retaining a 75‑foot right‑of‑way (measured from the centerline) for highway maintenance, and transferring the remaining approximate 0.2 acres to the church if the church pays for a survey, title search, deed preparation and closing expenses.
Committee members discussed options including having the county pay for parcelization versus requiring the church to handle survey and transaction costs. Supervisor Hartinger moved for option 3 — retain the 75‑foot right‑of‑way and transfer the remainder to Bethany Mennonite Church with the church covering all associated costs; the motion was seconded by Supervisor Gisselman.
The committee approved the motion unanimously. Staff said the parcel’s land value is minimal (county assessor cited approximately $5,000 per acre in that area) and recommended the church bear the transactional costs rather than the county incurring surveying expenses.
The committee instructed staff to proceed with the transfer under those conditions and to return with necessary documents for the County Board as required.
