Common Council Budget Meeting 10 13 2026

The Marshfield Common Council’s special budget meeting on October 13, 2026, reviewed 2027 capital and operating budget requests. UWSP Marshfield requested $80,000 from the city’s 2027 Capital Improvement Plan for a rooftop HVAC unit at the Laird Building, as the city match for an approximately $160,000 project; Wood County has approved the other $80,000. The unit is needed for the building’s planned renovation, supported by a $2 million state award and $400,000 from the Laird fund. No vote on the city allocation was recorded; staff said the full CIP would return for consideration at a later budget meeting. Main Street Marshfield requested $25,000 for a matched building revitalization grant program, $5,000 for a professionally facilitated downtown strategic vision process, and $10,000 for BID flowers and planters. These were presented for budget consideration, with no funding decisions recorded.

The recommended 2027 budget discussion cited a $50,135 shortfall, proposed a $209,000 increase in the property tax levy, and projected general-fund expenditures about 4% above the prior year. Police officials outlined an upcoming Axon contract renewal: current costs are about $109,000 annually, with an estimated increase of $60,000–$75,000 per year depending on a five- or ten-year term. The package includes cameras, Tasers, digital evidence storage and related software; adding drones under the ten-year proposal was estimated at about $18,000 annually. A $37,000 Tactical EMS equipment request was also discussed. The Axon agreement was expected to return for further discussion, but no contract award or budget vote occurred in the excerpt. Council members reached a consensus to approach the school district about increasing its contribution to school resource officers; no formal motion or vote was recorded.