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CPZ, parks and landfill budgets reported in surplus; county updates MS4 reporting and MPO's USDOT planning grant application
Summary
At the June 3 ERC meeting county staff presented year-to-date budget reports showing surpluses for CPZ, parks and the landfill fund, reviewed the MS4 annual report submission and noted an MPO application to USDOT Safe Streets for All planning funds.
County finance and department staff presented year-to-date budget and program updates to the Environmental Resources Committee on June 3, 2025 and provided two regulatory and planning updates.
Conservation, Planning and Zoning (CPZ) and Parks CPZ staff reported the CPZ general fund through March was at 52.66% of its revenue budget, including a $1,686,745 tax-levy amount; program revenues (excluding tax levy) were about $244,263 (roughly 12.3% of program budget). Expenditures were at 19.6% of budget and the general-fund position showed a $1,212,176 surplus year to date. Staff noted the department also has a grants fund not shown in the general-fund summary.
The county park system (county parks only) showed revenues at about 50.66% of budget; excluding property tax (about $2.2 million) and fund transfers for carryovers, program revenues were reported at $470,586 (about 27.7% of budget). Park expenditures were at 13.36% of budget and the parks fund showed an approximate $2.0 million surplus year to date.
Landfill (enterprise fund) The landfill enterprise fund reported total revenues of $1,742,220 (about 25.12% of budget) through March. Interest income for certain long-term care/investment accounts was running at $150,000 versus a budgeted $25,000. Expenditures were at 22.03% of budget. Staff explained a fixed-charges line (reported at $263,919, which shows as a large percent over budget) reflects a change in accounting practice: charges previously recorded to a liability account are now recognized as expense to improve tracking of Department of Natural Resources fees and closure/post-closure costs. The landfill's year-to-date net position was reported as $214,059 (revenues over expenditures).
MS4 annual report Laurie Muskemmons (CPZ) reviewed the county's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit reporting obligations. She said the county submitted its 2024 MS4 report to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and that the report covers activities such as salt-application tracking, public-education events, coordination with highway shop sites to avoid illicit discharges, and participation in the North Central Wisconsin Stormwater Coalition and Wisconsin SaltWise.
MPO Safe Streets planning funds application Staff reported the Wausau Metropolitan Planning Organization (housed within CPZ) supported applying for U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets for All planning funds to improve the safety analysis across routes within the MPO boundary. If awarded, the MPO would request inclusion of the funds in the 2026 budget or pursue a 2026 budget amendment.
Other items The committee discussed scheduling a brief educational meeting in July (two-hour session) to cover topics not typically addressed during regular meetings and staff announced an open house for the CPZ and relocated departments at 1100 Lakeview on June 17 from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m.
No formal committee action was taken on the budget reports, the MS4 report or the MPO application; these were informational updates to the committee.
