Board approves multiple rezones, budget amendment and 2026 work plan; urges state action on transportation funding

The Marathon County Board of Supervisors approved a slate of land-use ordinances, a budget amendment to accept a veterans donation, and the county administrator's 2026 work plan at its Feb. 19 meeting in Wausau. The board also passed Resolution 10-26 urging state action to address long-term transportation funding shortfalls.

On the consent and ordinance docket, the board approved: Ordinance 0-5-26 (Town of Frankfort rezone), Ordinance 0-6-26 (Town of Green Valley rezone, approved as amended to correct parcel descriptions), and Ordinance 0-7-26 (Town of McMillan rezone). All three were approved after motion and second with no further discussion and carried unanimously.

The board discussed Ordinance 0-8-26 (no parking on County Road O). Chair and county staff clarified the agenda title was abbreviated; the ordinance was written to allow parking on one side only to ease congestion and improve safety during large events. Supervisor Sandalski said local business owners and neighbors support the change, but the measure drew dissent on the floor; the motion carried but was not unanimous, with Supervisors Boots and Endres recorded as voting no.

The board approved Resolution 11-26, a budget amendment accepting a donation to the Marathon County Veterans Service Commission. The item required a two-thirds majority and passed.

Deputy Administrator (unnamed) presented the administrator's 2026 work plan (Resolution 9-26). The executive committee had prioritized items the board received: redeveloping the UWSP campus; continuing the highway shop relocation with a funding strategy in early 2026; evaluating health-care benefit strategy and on-site clinic utilization; centralizing finance operations; and improving data reporting and oversight of the forensic science center. The board approved the work plan unanimously.

Discussion of Resolution 10-26 on sustainable transportation funding included a request from Supervisor Sandalski for details on what revenue sources the resolution endorses (sales tax increase, user fees, earmarks or other mechanisms). Supervisor Robinson outlined the concern: "To put it in perspective, we're supposed to receive 30% of the cost of the county highway system from the state. I think we're at under 19%," he said, adding that the removal of gas-tax indexing and recent transfers from general purpose revenue have compounded funding pressure. Vice Chair Dickinson asked whether bonding is currently a mechanism used for transportation projects; the chair replied bonding is used for some projects depending on scope. The resolution was approved but not unanimously.

The meeting concluded with routine announcements and adjournment.