Marshfield Common Council Approves 2025 Budget, Fire Department Referendum, and More

Wednesday, November 27th, 2024 -- 10:01 AM

The Marshfield Common Council discussed the City’s budget at their meeting on Tuesday.

During a budget hearing, there were only two speakers, both from Main Street Marshfield, asking for funds to be restored to a grant program. The Council then heard an update on the proposed budget with any changes since the last budget meeting on October 29th.

The Council then had an opportunity to make their case for any items to be returned to the budget or their thoughts/opinions on it. There were some items returned to the budget that were initially cut including some seasonal Parks and Recreation positions, a zoo intern position, and other items.

The money for these items was pulled from the City’s contingency fund, so that money was already there, it was just shifted to fill the needs created by adding items back into the budget.

Finally, the Council approved the 2025 adopted budget (excluding Marshfield Utilities) to be established in the amount of $51,916,684. Also, the sum of $15,588,901 (excludes estimated TID levy) is the amount to be raised by taxation for City purposes for the City of Marshfield in the 2025 fiscal year.

This will come to a tax rate of around $8.05 per one thousand dollars of assessed value. The Council also approved allowing the Marshfield Fire and Rescue Department to move forward with a referendum to secure $250,000 in funding for two new firefighters.

The Council also approved a budget resolution to fix the fire station door at a cost of $11,260 and truck one’s deck gun at a cost of $3,628. With the retirement of Marshfield Public Works Director Tom Turchi, the Council also approved a recommendation to appoint Josh Mauritz to the position of Acting Public Works Director, and Tim Cassidy to the position of Acting City Engineer, both effective as of December 3rd.

The Council also approved allowing the 2025 MACCI Leadership Marshfield class to raise funds to construct a new playground at Griese Park. The Board also approved the appointment of Tanya Woltman and Joshua Shamrowicz to the Business Improvement District.

They also heard about the appointment of Jennifer Koran to the Business Improvement District, but no action was taken at this time and will be brought back at the next meeting.

The Council also approved changing the second December meeting, which would fall on Christmas Eve this year, to a week earlier on December 17th. The Council also had a discussion on having possible guidelines or a policy during the public comments period of the meeting.

The Council did approve a slight wording change to the wording the Mayor reads before the public comments period essentially asking individuals to be respectful.

The Council also heard an update on the Daniel’s Addition subdivision and a report on the history of the Enterprise Document Management System (EDMS).

When approving the Committee Meeting minutes from the past couple weeks, the Council did approved Braem Park wet detention basin design services, a revised policy regarding debt management, a revised policy regarding the Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act,

A revised policy regarding meals and breaks, a draft ordinance amending Section 9-51 of the Marshfield Municipal Code regarding pet license fees, revised protocol for filling vacant staff positions, and a conditional use permit for 306 W. Jefferson St.

During the Public Comments portion of the meeting, the Mayor read a letter of positive comments regarding the new bike trail. During staff updates, Public Works Director Tom Turchi discussed his retirement and thanked the Council and the City for his time as Director.

During the Mayor’s comments, she thanked Ed Wagner for his service in the military and to the City of Marshfield and asked for a moment of silence to remember him.

During the Council’s comments, one alderman commented on the amount of people who were in the area recently for a football game and highlighted the importance of having facilities for people to come to within the City. Another commented on this year’s very successful Central Wisconsin State Fair and a grand stand act already announced.

Finally, the City Administrator mentioned a reception for Tom Turchi on December 2nd, the budget process wraps up/then on to the beginning of the strategic planning process, and City Hall will be closed on Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.