Marathon County Board Special Meeting - 10/1/26

At a special meeting of the Marathon County Board of Supervisors on October 1, 2026, the Board considered Resolution 55-26 concerning county engagement with Alliant Energy on the proposed Hub City wind project. The resolution asks Alliant to provide a substantive draft proposal by November 1, 2026, and calls for it to be shared with the governing bodies of affected towns. Supervisors emphasized that receiving a proposal would not commit the county to signing an agreement; a potential joint development agreement could address community concerns such as roads, emergency response, decommissioning, water, setbacks, and other local impacts. The resolution passed on a nonunanimous vote; no contract was awarded or agreement approved.

Staff reviewed possible approaches and estimated that negotiating a joint development agreement could cost up to $20,000, while intervening in Public Service Commission proceedings could cost approximately $75,000 to more than $200,000, depending on the scope and need for expert testimony. A moratorium was described as unenforceable for this project, with potential legal costs unknown. The Board also received an announcement about a public survey to help prioritize strategic-plan objectives and a reminder of upcoming county budget review and adoption dates; no specific budget allocation or other purchasing action was identified.