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Board approves action to pursue airport development fund after heated debate over timing and conditions
Summary
The Marathon County Board voted to direct county administration to include funding for a Regional Air Aviation Development Fund in the 2026 budget, after supervisors debated whether to commit before budget priorities are set and whether contributions should be contingent on other partners.
Marathon County supervisors voted June 24 to authorize a resolution directing county administration to include funding for a Regional Air Aviation Development Fund in the 2026 budget, but the vote was not unanimous. The item, Resolution 39-25, drew extended debate over whether the county should signal support now or wait to set budget priorities later.
The vote followed a motion by Supervisor Fifrick, seconded by Supervisor Marash, to approve the resolution. Supervisor Robinson offered an amendment to make Marathon County's commitment contingent on participation from Portage County and contributions from the business community; that amendment was seconded by Supervisor Hartinger but later withdrawn after discussion and requests for clearer wording.
The dispute centered on timing and leverage. Supervisor Lemmer questioned why the board should act now instead of waiting for the regular November budget process: "I'm just not sure how this is advantageous…
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