Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Building and grounds report: fairgrounds projects, $9.2 million federal request and budget caution
Summary
Staff reported fairgrounds maintenance and a $9.2 million congressional-directed request for fairgrounds projects, and presented a preliminary budget showing $67,345 returning to the general fund while warning that unusually cold winter utility use could strain the small remaining contingency.
Bo, the building & grounds presenter, told the Marquette County Property Committee about recent maintenance work and an active federal funding effort, then reviewed the department’s preliminary 2025 budget and utility risks.
Bo said crews repainted restroom stalls at the fairgrounds and replaced courthouse signage and directories to improve wayfinding. He described attending a rural caucus where the committee’s delegation delivered a congressional-directed spending (CDS) request totaling $9.2 million split between two fairgrounds projects: a community center and a livestock facility. Bo said the committee will not hear back from congressional offices until late May or early June.
On budget figures, staff presented a preliminary report that showed $67,345 being returned to the general fund; staff attributed $59,471 of that return to a January retirement of the custodian position. Bo warned that without that retirement the return would have been only $7,874 on an approximately $800,000 departmental budget and cautioned that prolonged extreme winter weather and higher utility use could erode that margin.
Committee members and staff discussed energy-use monitoring and thermostat policy. Staff described a countywide office set point of 72°F with a two-degree swing allowed for seasonal adjustment; jail cells were described with a cooling window of 68–75°F. Members discussed monthly tracking of utility consumption, the potential need to limit nonessential refrigerators and other short-term conservation measures if utility costs remain high.
Bo also noted ongoing work orders (about 114 open) and infrastructure projects: data cables being pulled into the 911 dispatch center and Motorola radio work expected to be complete by May for sheriff use. He closed by thanking committee members for their working relationship and noting member Dave’s departure from the committee.
Quotations in the meeting were limited; when describing the growing prevalence of data centers, Bo said, "if you don't think we're going to end up with one in here in Marquette County, I think you're a fool," characterizing the presenter's view of future local infrastructure trends. The committee did not take formal action on building or budget items during the meeting; staff will continue to track utilities and report updates at future meetings.
