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Marquette County planning committee reviews strong 2025 revenues, schedules Feb. 5 rezone hearing
Summary
Committee members reviewed 2025 year-end reports showing increased permit and fee revenues across departments, heard updates on a potential LiDAR grant and new county imagery, noted a septic audit praise and vehicle sale, and set a rezone application for the Feb. 5, 2026 meeting.
Marquette County Planning and Zoning Committee members on Jan. 6 reviewed department year-end reports showing broad increases in permits and fees for 2025, approved routine meeting business and placed a rezone application on the Feb. 5 agenda.
Nicole Ziebell, Register of Deeds, told the committee that items listed on the department spreadsheet showed revenue gains of almost $18,000 compared with 2024 and that a Laredo contract price increase took effect Jan. 1.
Jean Potter, Planning & Zoning Administrator, said the department met or exceeded revenue goals in 2025. Potter told members that unified development code (UDC) revenue was especially strong, that the department’s new 10% administrative fee generated $8,500 in six months, and that every category of building permits exceeded 2024 totals. Potter added that conventional septic permits doubled year over year, collocation permits for existing cell towers rose by 12 over 2024 and one new tower was built. She said comprehensive planning work is expected to be completed in 2026 with assistance from the Land Information Department, and that a yearly Farmland Preservation audit is underway for submission to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
Megan Stalker, Land Information Director, briefed the committee on a recent LIO council meeting and discussed a federal grant that could add LiDAR to the county’s program; she said if the grant is not awarded the department would revert to its original plan. Stalker previewed new 2025 aerial imagery staff hope to publish on the county website by the end of the first quarter and noted that new CSM review fees took effect Jan. 1; Alex Schneider is entering section-corner data into the county database to support updated mapping.
Zach Hughes, Zoning Technician, reported that a septic field audit completed with the Department of Safety and Professional Services concluded with the county receiving an “exceeded expectations” notation from the regional wastewater specialist. Hughes also described a new sanitary inspection spreadsheet intended to improve efficiency, reported that the department sold a vehicle for $11,625 with proceeds earmarked for a lease vehicle, and said pumping notices will be mailed as postcards in March.
Chair fill-in Dave Benson opened a vouchers review. John Bennett asked about a GEC voucher; Potter said she will keep the GEC contract on her radar — the contract is scheduled to end Dec. 31, 2026. The committee approved the meeting agenda and the Nov. 6, 2025 minutes on unanimous 5-0 votes and adjourned at 11:36 a.m.
The committee listed a rezone application for consideration at its Feb. 5, 2026 meeting.
