Marathon County adopts 2026 budget with targeted highway and historical grants; several amendments fail

Marathon County’s Board of Supervisors on Nov. 11 adopted the 2026 county budget and property tax levy after debate and several floor amendments. The adopted budget totals $196,351,665 and the authorized property tax levy is $61,225,481; the reported mill rate moved from 3.5006 to 3.4892 after amendments. The board approved directing a $194,006.78 boost in general transportation aid into culvert and road repair and voted to require the Marathon County Historical Society to provide a report on the use of a $20,000 county contribution before funds are released.

Why it matters: The budget sets county priorities for 2026 and determines levy and contingency balances that affect capital projects and property-tax bills for county residents, including seniors and other vulnerable populations. Several debated amendments reflected competing priorities — investments in capital and economic development versus conserving contingency and limiting taxpayer exposure.

The board debated multiple amendments before the final vote. Supervisor Robinson argued in favor of investing the GTA increase in highways, saying the county needs “sites that are available” to remain competitive and that the GTA reinvestment would ‘‘yield a pretty darn good return’’ for road maintenance. The GTA amendment, advanced by the infrastructure committee, carried though not unanimously. Finance staff told supervisors the GTA final figure arrives late in the process and unspent highway dollars roll into highway reserves or the county’s capital improvement program.

A proposal to add $3 to the daily and first-day jail "pay-for-stay" fee — intended to create a funding stream for the county K9 program — was defeated after the sheriff explained billing and collection limitations and administration estimated collection would be difficult. The sheriff described jail operations as “basically a little city up there,” noting medical and pharmaceutical costs and that collections typically proceed through a tax-intercept program. Administrator Leonard said roughly 15–20% of inmates on any given day are sentenced and estimated potential additional revenue from the fee increase at roughly $16,000–$20,000, but warned parsing receipts across accounting systems is difficult.

A $5,000 amendment to fund Synergy for a regional site-evaluation project was defeated under a two-thirds threshold (vote recorded 22–12). Supporters framed the request as a small matched investment to put Marathon County “on the map” for site selectors; critics, led by Supervisor Poole, argued county funding of nonprofit proposals should be limited and urged fiscal discipline.

Supervisor Marshall offered an amendment to reduce the tax levy by $200,000 and cut contingency by the same amount to ease taxpayer burden; proponents emphasized tax relief for seniors. Opponents and administration cautioned that contingency funds are already committed to items such as a minimum revenue guarantee for an airport project and shelter funding, and warned of state-driven uncertainties (including changes to income-maintenance administration) that could increase county costs. That levy/contingency amendment was adopted as part of the final set of amendments that adjusted the levy and contingency balances before adoption.

Another late proposal to raise the budgeted sales-tax projection by $500,000 and reduce the debt-service levy by the same amount was defeated after multiple supervisors warned sales-tax receipts are volatile and the board should not budget on optimistic estimates.

The board voted to adopt Resolution 79-25 (the 2026 Marathon County budget and property tax levy) as amended; the motion carried but was not unanimous.

Votes at a glance: • Consent agenda C8–C13a: approved (unanimous) • E15 — $5,000 to Synergy (amend budget): failed (two-thirds required; recorded 22–12) • E16 — $20,000 to Marathon County Historical Society: amendment adopted to require a report before release; resolution passed as amended (vote recorded 23–11) • Jail stay–fee amendment (+$3 & first-day fee): defeated • GTA reinvestment ($194,006.78 to culvert/roads): amendment carried (not unanimous) • Sales-tax projection +$500,000 / levy −$500,000: defeated • Resolution 79-25 (2026 budget and levy) as amended: approved (not unanimous)

What’s next: Finance staff will incorporate the adopted amendments into the final resolution language and implement reporting requirements (for the Historical Society). Several supervisors signaled interest in further committee review for items such as fee collection practices and deferred capital projects.

Attributions: Quotes and detailed figures are taken from board debate and staff remarks during the Nov. 11 Marathon County Board meeting. Direct quotes include Supervisor Robinson’s remarks on economic development and Administrator Leonard’s estimates; sheriff remarks are attributed to the county sheriff who spoke to collection practices.