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Marquette County planning committee reviews 2025 revenue gains and mapping upgrades
Summary
At its Jan. 6 meeting the Marquette County Planning and Zoning Committee heard that 2025 revenues rose about $18,000, saw a preview of new 2025 imagery, and discussed pursuing a federal LiDAR grant; staff also reported higher permit activity and a septic audit rated "exceeded expectations."
The Marquette County Planning and Zoning Committee reviewed department year-end reports at its Jan. 6 meeting, with staff reporting roughly $18,000 in additional revenue for 2025 and several mapping and permitting updates.
Register of Deeds Nicole Ziebell said items on the department spreadsheet produced nearly $18,000 more revenue in 2025 than in 2024 and reported that a Laredo contract price increase took effect on Jan. 1. Ziebell presented the register's portion of the year-end figures to the committee.
Land Information Director Megan Stalker told the committee that a recent LIO counsel meeting discussed grant opportunities that now include a federal LiDAR component; she said the department will revert to its original plan if the grant is not awarded. Alex Schneider previewed new aerial imagery comparing 2020 and 2025 and said staff hope to publish the updated imagery on the county's new website platform by the end of the first quarter. Stalker said CSM review fees took effect Jan. 1 and that Land Information will have a revenue line in the 2026 budget.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Jean Potter said the department exceeded its revenue goals for 2025. Potter reported that uniform development code (UDC) revenue was notably high and that a new 10% administrative fee brought in $8,500 in six months. Potter said all building-permit categories increased over 2024, septic permits for new conventional systems doubled year-over-year, collocation permits increased by 12 and one new cell tower was constructed. She also said staff are updating department webpages and forms and that comprehensive planning work should be completed in 2026 with Land Information assisting on mapping. Potter noted the county's annual Farmland Preservation audit is underway for submission to DATCP.
Zoning Technician Zach Hughes said a septic field audit conducted with the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) concluded with an “exceeded expectations” notation from the regional wastewater specialist. Hughes said staff developed a new sanitary inspection spreadsheet to streamline reporting and that the department sold a vehicle for $11,625; proceeds will go toward a new lease vehicle. He said seasonal pumping notices will be mailed in March.
During voucher review, committee member John Bennett asked about a GEC voucher; Potter said she will keep the GEC contract, which ends Dec. 31, 2026, on her radar. Chair fill-in Dave Benson noted that a rezone application will be on the Feb. 5, 2026 meeting agenda. The committee approved the meeting agenda and the Nov. 6, 2025 minutes by 5-0 votes and adjourned at 11:36 a.m.
What happens next: staff will continue mapping work and grant pursuit, complete the comprehensive planning process in 2026, and return routine items such as the rezone application to the committee on the Feb. 5 agenda.
