MARINETTE – The Marinette County Board of Supervisors gathered for their regular monthly meeting on Sept. 29.
After approving the agenda, a variety of public comments were heard, including: Shena Chapman, Independent Candidate for Assembly District 36; Doug Oitzinger, Stephenson Public Library; Kim Brooks and Tom Schwaba, Design Wisconsin; Lee Lund, Marinette County Libraries; and Olivia Cherry and Don Dennis, elderly services.
Afterwards, the board considered an agenda item for transferring up to $10,000 from contingency to the UW-Green Bay Marinette building maintenance for the UW-Extension Community Economic Development Program.
A motion was made by supervisors Peter Noppenberg and Ken Hanson to amend the agreement and wait to take action until January, 2027. However, the motion failed on a 2-25 vote, with one supervisor abstaining.
The main motion ultimately carried as presented, with 22 supervisors voting in favor, five voting against and one abstaining.
Following this, library director Vanja Anderson delivered a monthly report. She spoke on operational trends across county branches — noting a 10% overall increase in checked-out materials — along with challenges regarding staffing shortages, reduced operating hours and building maintenance upkeep.
During the infrastructure portion of the meeting, the library’s lease agreement was brought forward.
The board discussed the 25-year lease agreement with the City of Marinette for the Stephenson Public Library building, set at $1 per year.
A motion to postpone a leasing decision until the October county board meeting failed at 8 - 17, and the board then approved the original motion on a 24 - 1 vote.
The lease agreement is subject to the corporation counsel’s approval.
Finally, the board approved transferring $6,000 from contingency for chiller repairs at the UW-Green Bay Marinette theater and applied $351 from the library donations fund balance for Peshtigo branch expenditures.
A report was given by county administrator Kevin Solway, during which he presented the 2027 budget message, outlining financial pressures caused by state levy limits, inflation, wage increases and possible impacts to staff positions to maintain a balanced budget.
Later, the board unanimously approved Resolution No. 637-26, “Requesting Authorization from the Wisconsin State Legislature for Wisconsin Counties to Adopt an Additional 0.5% Sales Tax for Road and Bridge Infrastructure.”
This resolution requests authorization from the Wisconsin State Legislature to allow counties to enact an additional 0.5% sales tax dedicated strictly to road and bridge infrastructure, with up to half distributed to local municipalities.
They also unanimously approved Resolution No. 638-26, “Requesting the State of Wisconsin to Fully Fund All State-Mandated Programs and Positions.”
This resolution served as a formal request to the governor and state legislature to fully fund all state-mandated programs, positions and services.
Finance director Hollie Viestenz explained in a fiscal impact statement, “Following the voter rejection of a $1.5 million annual levy referendum intended to bridge the funding gap related to providing public safety within Marinette County, the county must absorb 100% of these inflationary mandated operational deficits internally.”
She continued, “To balance the 2027 annual budget, the county has been forced to hold or eliminate 42 county positions since the 2024 budget year, shifting approximately $3 million to offset the inflationary costs of providing essential services. This leaves departments short-staffed and affects frontline roles.”
In continued financial updates, the county board: Approved the 2027 Elderly Services Contract for $192,739; accepted the $37,464 WI DHS Community Mental Health Services Block Grant and the $29,065 SUBG Supplemental award; and approved applying $3,000 in canine non-lapsing fund balance and recognizing $3,830 in donation revenue to cover $6,830 in canine physician fees.
A contract with Telebright Software Corporation for a telecom audit on a 25% contingency fee basis based on realized savings was approved. A $30,000 agreement with Banaszak Lawn & Dock LLC for 1.25” dense aggregate gravel crushing was also approved.
Supervisor Sonny Graese was appointed to the Infrastructure Committee and supervisor John Garon to the Development Committee. Marinette County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Jon Doran was appointed as highway safety coordinator.
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