Marathon County board adopts 2026 comprehensive plan after hours of amendments and debate The Marathon County Board of Supervisors adopted the updated Comprehensive Plan 2026 (Ordinance O-13-26) March 24, approving multiple amendments on livability, energy language, data centers, radon/lead remediation and AI; several votes carried with dissent.

The Marathon County Board has officially adopted the Comprehensive Plan 2026, following intense debate and numerous amendments on topics from energy projects to AI integration.

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#MarathonCounty #WI #EnergyPolicy #CitizenPortal #SustainableDevelopment #DataCenters

Board approves PFAS litigation authorization, highway design work and other resolutions Besides adopting the comprehensive plan, the Marathon County Board authorized Phase 2 design for a new highway facility, approved contingency-fee PFAS litigation with directed evaluation of county risks, ratified a local emergency and adopted several budget and personnel resolutions.

Marathon County is taking significant strides forward by approving crucial resolutions for PFAS litigation, a new highway facility, and emergency measures following a recent blizzard!

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#MarathonCounty #WI #EnvironmentalLitigation #CitizenPortal #MarathonCountyHighway

Study: Marathon County faces hundreds more older-adult housing units by 2040; affordability and staffing flagged as top risks A regional planning consultant told the Marathon County Extension, Education and Economic Development Committee that demographic shifts could require hundreds of senior-oriented units by 2040 and that affordability and shortages of health-care workers will be the principal constraints.

Marathon County is facing a looming housing crisis for older adults, with a projected need for hundreds of new units by 2040, but affordability and healthcare staffing remain critical challenges.

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#MarathonCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #HousingAffordability #SeniorLivingNeeds

ERC directs staff to draft removal of farm-consolidation permitted use in farmland-preservation ordinance Staff recommended removing farm consolidations as a permitted use in the farmland-preservation ordinance; ERC members generally supported the move, citing tracking difficulties and state statute alignment, and asked staff to draft language to remove the permitted use.

Big changes are coming to farmland preservation in Marathon County as officials move to eliminate farm consolidation, streamlining land use and enforcing state regulations!

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#MarathonCounty #WI #ZoningReform #CitizenPortal #MarathonCountyFarming #LandUsePolicy

ERC leans toward allowing private battery storage but asks for more research on safety and siting Marathon County staff recommended drafting farmland-preservation ordinance language to allow private battery energy storage systems (BESS) under 1 MW and to treat commercial BESS as conditional uses; the committee requested more research on fire containment, emergency-response training, and model language from other counties.

Marathon County is set to update its farmland preservation ordinance to allow small battery energy storage systems, but safety concerns are sparking a deeper investigation into emergency protocols.

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#MarathonCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #EmergencyResponse #PublicSafety

County staff report state review of animal-waste ordinance; DATCP suggests simplifying large-farm threshold Marathon County conservation staff said state agencies are reviewing draft animal-waste ordinance amendments and DATCP recommended changing the medium/large farm threshold from “300–999 animal units” to “300 or more” to avoid ambiguity for farms in the 1,000-unit permitting limbo; staff supported the change and said the draft may not reach the State Land and Water Board until June.

Marathon County is on the brink of simplifying its animal waste management rules, a change that could clarify regulations for many farmers caught in permitting limbo.

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#MarathonCounty #WI #AnimalWasteRegulation #CitizenPortal #MarathonCountyConservation #EnvironmentalManagement

On 3/22/17, Marathon County endured a profound tragedy that shook our community to its core. I will always remember the victims and those who were affected. The aftermath revealed our strength and unity. Together, we rise! #MarathonCounty #Resilience

Picture Credit: Wausau Police Department

County officials summarize WCA legislative priorities: food-share changes, PFAS, courts, renewable energy and transportation funding Committee members reviewed takeaways from the Wisconsin Counties Association legislative exchange: food-share eligibility and penalty concerns for counties, likely PFAS legislation, supplemental court funding, maternal-health bills, renewable-energy siting and battery energy storage regulation, and renewed attention to sustainable transportation funding and affordability data from Forward Analytics.

Key Wisconsin legislative priorities are on the table, from food-share eligibility changes to renewable energy regulations and transportation funding challenges - what does this mean for your county?

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#MarathonCounty #WI #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #MarathonCountyCounties

Board approves multiple rezones, budget amendment and 2026 work plan; urges state action on transportation funding Marathon County supervisors voted Feb. 19 to approve four town rezones and a no-parking ordinance (one-side parking), accept a veterans donation, and adopt the administrator's 2026 work plan; they also passed a resolution urging state action on transportation funding after discussion of shrinking state support.

Marathon County's Board of Supervisors just made crucial decisions on land use, budget amendments, and transportation funding—could this reshape the future of the community?

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#MarathonCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #VeteransSupport #TransportationFunding #LandUsePolicy

Committee reviews Marathon County draft comprehensive plan, asks for stronger focus on aging and livability County staff presented the draft Marathon County 2026 comprehensive plan and committee members urged clearer objectives and strategies for aging‑in‑place, social connection in rural areas, and homelessness, with staff saying those items appear in other chapters and will be refined.

Marathon County is gearing up for a transformative 2026 comprehensive plan, but are we doing enough to support our aging population and combat social isolation in rural areas?

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#MarathonCounty #WI #SocialConnection #AgingInPlace #CitizenPortal #MarathonCountyHousing

Committee hears broadband update: BEAD allocations, local awards and technology concerns County staff and Supervisor Robinson briefed the committee on federal BEAD/BEED funding, mapped provider awards in Marathon County (7,788 locations), and raised concerns about technology choices, costs, and workforce needs as deployments proceed.

Marathon County is set to transform its internet landscape with $696.6 million in federal funding, but will the technology choices lead to higher costs for residents?

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#MarathonCounty #WI #WorkforceEducation #MarathonCountyBroadband #CitizenPortal #DigitalInclusion

Infrastructure committee unanimously forwards WCA transportation funding resolution to county board Marathon County's Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously to forward a WCA transportation resolution asking the state to address shrinking transportation revenue and funding structure to the full county board for consideration.

Marathon County's Infrastructure Committee has taken a bold step to address alarming transportation funding shortfalls by unanimously forwarding a crucial resolution to the county board.

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#MarathonCounty #WI #MarathonCountyTransportation #TransportationReform #CitizenPortal

Votes at a glance: key motions and outcomes from the Marathon County board meeting Board approved consent items and several resolutions including environmental wellhead funding (Resolution 3-26), zoning ordinance repeal (Ordinance 0-4-26, amended), support for a TRG application (Resolution 1-26), a WCA local-control substitute (Resolution 4-26), and several grant budget amendments; one grant item (R-8-26) was pulled because award notification had not been received.

The Marathon County Board made pivotal decisions this week, from approving significant environmental funding to amending zoning laws—find out what’s at stake for the community!

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#MarathonCounty #WI #MarathonCountyEnvironment #CommunityGrantFunding #EnvironmentalProtection

County board backs letter of support for Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership TRG application Supervisors authorized a letter supporting the Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership’s application to the WEDC Talent Relocation Grant (TRG); staff said program design details remain to be determined, including whether employers or employees apply, and the grant has a $55,000 household-income eligibility threshold and a 20% match requirement.

Marathon County is stepping up to support a bold initiative aimed at attracting new residents and boosting the local economy through the Talent Relocation Grant!

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#MarathonCounty #WI #CommunitySupport #EconomicDevelopment #TalentRelocation #MarathonCountyProsperity #CitizenPortal

Board adopts substitute resolution asking Wisconsin Counties Association to press for greater local control on energy siting after heated debate After extended debate and a failed motion to refer back to committee, the board adopted a substitute resolution asking the Wisconsin Counties Association to lobby for local control on energy siting; the substitute removed specific bill references and broadened county-focused language.

Marathon County Board has taken a bold step towards empowering local control over energy siting, sparking a heated debate and setting the stage for legislative action!

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#MarathonCounty #WI #EnergySiting #MarathonCountyEnergy #LocalControl #CivicEngagement #CitizenPortal

County hears two financing options for $50M highway shop; staff to return taxpayer-impact comparisons PFM financial adviser presented two approaches to fund a proposed $50 million highway shop: issue $20M in new debt (20-year notes) or redirect existing North Central Healthcare revenues onto levy to cover the gap; the committee asked staff for comparative analyses showing taxpayer impacts under different equalized-value growth scenarios.

Marathon County is weighing two financing strategies for a $50 million highway shop that could impact your taxes—will it mean new debt or a shift in healthcare revenue?

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#MarathonCounty #WI #MarathonCountyFinance #CivicTransparency #PublicFinance #TaxpayerImpact #CitizenPortal

North Central Healthcare honored as 2025 Children's System of Care champion Marathon County officials recognized North Central Healthcare for statewide recognition as a 2025 Children's System of Care champion, citing improved Tri-County collaboration, a continuum of youth services, and reductions in out-of-home placements.

Marathon County celebrates North Central Healthcare as a 2025 Children's System of Care champion, highlighting groundbreaking collaborations that are transforming youth services and keeping children in their communities.

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#MarathonCounty #WI #MarathonCountyChildren #HealthOutcomes

Committee reviews draft Marathon County 2026 comprehensive plan; asked to submit feedback by Feb. 11 The committee reviewed the draft Marathon County 2026 comprehensive plan and was asked to provide comments by Feb. 11 so the executive committee can consider a 30-day circulation starting Feb. 12; members debated whether to add an explicit homelessness objective and agreed staff would circulate targeted excerpts for review.

Marathon County's future hangs in the balance as the Health and Human Services Committee debates crucial updates to the 2026 comprehensive plan, with homelessness taking center stage in their discussions.

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#MarathonCounty #WI #CommunityPlanning #PublicHealth

Marathon County committee unanimously directs administrator to send letter supporting GWPP WEDC talent recruitment grant application The Extension, Education and Economic Development Committee voted unanimously to direct the county administrator to send a letter of support for the Greater Wausau Prosperity Partnership's application to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's talent recruitment grant program, citing workforce shortages and a 20% local match requirement.

Marathon County is taking a bold step towards addressing workforce challenges by supporting a grant application that could unlock $500,000 for local economic development!

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#MarathonCounty #WI #WorkforceDevelopment #EconomicGrowth #MarathonCountyEconomy #CommunityPartnerships

Marathon County judges and staff warn attorney shortages are slowing cases, canceling court dates Judge O'Neil told the Public Safety Committee that shortages in prosecutors and public defenders have grown worse, forcing at least one court cancellation and prompting renewed local efforts on recruitment and case‑processing reforms.

Marathon County is facing a crisis as attorney shortages have forced the cancellation of court dates, leaving justice hanging in the balance.

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#MarathonCounty #WI #MarathonCountyPublicSafety #AttorneyShortage #LegalReform #CourtAccess #CitizenPortal

Infrastructure committee backs resolution asking Wisconsin Counties Association to lobby for local control over large energy projects The Marathon County Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously Jan. 8 to recommend forwarding a resolution asking the Wisconsin Counties Association to lobby state lawmakers and the governor to support legislation that would give local governments more decision-making power over large renewable energy projects.

Marathon County's Infrastructure Committee is pushing for local control over large energy projects, aiming to empower communities like never before!

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#MarathonCounty #WI #RenewableEnergy #MarathonCountyEnergy #LocalControl #CivicEngagement #CitizenPortal

Marathon County ERC forwards animal waste and cropland management ordinance to state for review after extended debate After months of public engagement and farmer work-group input, the Environmental Resources Committee voted Jan. 6 to send a draft Animal Waste and Cropland Management Ordinance (Chapter 11.02) — which includes buffers, nutrient management requirements, and winter spreading limits for medium/large farms — to DATCP/DNR for legal review and comment.

Marathon County's Environmental Resources Committee has taken a significant step forward by sending a draft ordinance on animal waste and cropland management to state agencies for review, sparking debates on its impact on local farmers.

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#MarathonCounty #WI #EnvironmentalPolicy

Marathon County ERC backs $20,000 pilot to protect municipal wellheads The Marathon County Environmental Resources Committee voted Jan. 6 to support a $20,000 Environmental Impact Fund request for a pilot “Green-for-Green” program to convert cropland around municipal wells to prairie/pasture and other protective uses to reduce nitrate risk and avoid costly water treatment or new wells.

Marathon County is taking a bold step to safeguard its water supply by allocating $20,000 for a pilot program that transforms vulnerable land around wells into protective green spaces.

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#MarathonCounty #WI #WaterProtection #PublicHealth #MarathonCountyEnvironmental

Marathon County ERC advances rezones, solid-waste plan and resolution backing local control bills At its Jan. 6 meeting the Environmental Resources Committee approved three rezones, adopted the solid waste department strategic plan for 2026–2030, and passed a resolution asking the Wisconsin Counties Association to lobby in favor of state bills that would give municipalities greater authority over large renewable energy projects.

Marathon County is making strides in environmental management by approving new land-use petitions and advocating for local control over renewable energy projects!

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#MarathonCounty #WI #RenewableEnergy #WasteManagement #MarathonCountyEnvironmental #LocalControl #CitizenPortal

The Marathon County Historical Society’s new building now under construction-the John and Carolyn Sonnentag Archive Center-will allow us to continue to collect, preserve, and display the history of Marathon County for decades to come.
#MarathonCounty
#Wausau
#Wisconsin
#history

“Look here,” she said nonchalantly to herself, “I can turn my head all the way to the right and look over my left side. Bet you can’t do that.”
#nature
#outdoors
#wildlife
#Wisconsin
#MarathonCounty
#Wausau

She has survived Wisconsin’s gun season, too. Question: Will we see another fawn in about 7 months?
#nature
#outdoors
#wildlife
#Wisconsin
#MarathonCounty
#Wausau

Guess who has scathed Wisconsin’s gun deer season?
#nature
#outdoors
#wildlife
#Wisconsin
#MarathonCounty
#Wausau

Marathon County committee presses for plan on aging ice arena, staff to convene user groups After public comment and a staff briefing, the Marathon County Executive Committee directed staff to convene user groups and return next month with a plan for community engagement and options for the county’s long‑term role in operating the ice arena.

Marathon County is at a crossroads with its aging ice arena, debating whether to invest in a new facility or exit the ice business altogether.

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#MarathonCounty #WI #CommunityEngagement #RecreationFacilities #PublicFunding #CitizenPortal #MarathonCountyIceArena

Firm, level, and icy tracks made for fast classic XC skiing at Nine Mile Forest on December 17. Members of the Wausau Nordic Ski Club had a fun outing. I’m hoping the snow keeps on falling.
#CrossCountrySkiing
#NordicSkiing
#Outdoors
#Nature
#Wausau
#MarathonCounty
#Wisconsin