Marathon County Human Resources, Finance & Property Committee Meeting - 10/7/26

The Marathon County Human Resources, Finance & Property Committee met on October 7, 2026. The committee authorized shutting off utilities at Marathon Hall, with an estimated disconnection cost of about $7,700; dormitory funds may also cover asbestos testing and remaining utility or repair costs during the City of Wausau’s due-diligence period. Members approved a one-year parking-lot lease to AOK Property LLC, associated with Olsson Tire, with the lessee responsible for winter maintenance of the full lot. The committee also approved a $1,500 sale of a county-owned parcel in the Town of Reed and a $200 sale of a tax-deed parcel to the Village of Athens, and authorized proceeding with acquisition of land adjacent to Cherokee Park; no purchase price was stated, and the resolution allows use of the Parkland and Products account or the Knowles-Nelson program if available. Members accepted a donated pontoon boat and approved an ARPA-fund reclassification of an estimated $388,750 in remaining funds. A proposed WPS natural-gas regulator-station easement was advanced for County Board consideration; WPS would pay $1,000 for a nonrefundable option while pursuing other permits, with final easement terms to follow.

The committee reviewed the proposed 2027 budget but took no budget action at this meeting; staff attributed major increases largely to the highway facility project, including roughly $30 million in highway-fund transfers and a $3.5 million capital-improvement transfer. Construction bids for the project had been received and were still being validated, with no award made; the project was expected to return for consideration later in October. The proposed Rib Mountain law-enforcement services contract was also still under negotiation, with a final agreement and County Board vote pending. The committee approved September claims and questioned costs, established $150 in imprest funds for the Administration Department, and approved disallowance of a claim. No other major procurement awards were identified.