The Marathon County Human Resources, Finance & Property Committee on Nov. 1 recommended using newly identified general transportation aid to help cover an estimated $225,000–$250,000 shortfall on a culvert replacement project rather than immediately reducing the county tax levy.

Chair Gibbs moved the recommendation that the committee endorse Amendment No. 3 to apply about $194,000 of additional general transportation aid (GTA) to the culvert project; Supervisor Hart seconded. After a roll-call vote the committee recommended the amendment 4–2 (Robinson Aye; Marshall No; Gibbs Aye; Hart Aye; Lemmer Aye; Poole No). The committee recorded the action as a recommendation to the full county board, where members will take the final vote.

The decision followed a direct debate about whether to prioritize immediate tax relief or long-term capital needs. Supervisor Marshall urged using the funds to lower the levy, saying the amendment was "an effort to prioritize, affordability of our property taxes," and pointed to Social Security cost-of-living changes for seniors. By contrast, members of the infrastructure committee and other supervisors pressed that the culvert job—characterized in the discussion as more akin to a bridge replacement—now shows a clear shortfall and should be covered to avoid leaving an uncovered capital need in the budget. As one committee member put it, the current estimate for the project was "between $225,000 and $250,000 over" the original allocation.

Committee members and staff also reviewed the mechanics of general transportation aid, noting the state formula is a six‑year average and that the county typically receives roughly 17–20% back on eligible expenditures under current spending patterns. Vice Chair Dickinson and budget staff walked members through GTA history and percentage calculations shown in the budget book.

The committee approved an earlier, separate budget-neutral internal transfer (Amendment No. 4) moving county board internet stipend funds into board salary accounts; that amendment passed on a voice vote with one "no" recorded. The committee also approved the 2026 budget/property tax levy resolution R‑79‑25 by voice vote and will forward that resolution to the county board for adoption.

What’s next: The committee’s recommendation on Amendment No. 3 will be part of the agenda at the full county board meeting; staff said any final changes required by board action will be incorporated when the board considers the 2026 budget.