Category: Debt
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Marathon County has about $1,200,000 in Highway Reserves paid for by Kronenwetter Residents.
I want to start by saying that a) I believe that Marathon County needs to build a new County Highway Facility or substantially rebuild the existing facility either on the current site or on a new site. b) I believe that the Leadership (Commissioner Jim Griesbach and Deputy Commissioner Kevin Lang) and Employees of the…
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Marathon County Budget: After Further Review, I have Questions:
1. With an estimated $4 million to $5 million extra included in the payroll (see worksheet below) for the 2025 Budget (presumably earmarked for future CIP roll over), why would we need to add an additional $157,000 in tax levy increase to pay for a new economic development position? Wouldn’t the excess budgeted amount cover…
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An Alternate Broadband Funding Plan for the County Board’s Consideration
Access to Broadband is very important to most Marathon County residents. My concerns regarding the proposed Bug Tussel loan guarantees have primarily related to the terms of the proposed loan and the somewhat misleading approach of the attempt to get approval. I am offering an alternate proposal for the Board’s consideration. Background The request for…
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Did the County Board actually commit to a $3,000,000 Loan Guarantee for Leathercamp Broadband? (Part 2)
Supervisor Robinson again asserts that the “County Board agreed to a $3 million loan in March 2022, with the terms to be approved by the County Board at a later date” based on the “County Board Resolution 21-22 (aka Leathercamp Project)”. Resolution 21-22, which was passed by a County Board 2 terms prior to the…
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Proposed Bug Tussel Bond Financing Appears to Violate County Debt Policy
The proposed 30 year Bonds exceed the 20 year limit imposed by the County’s Debt Policy. Section 1.51(3) Length of debt and timing of bond issues. Debt will be structured to provide for the shortest repayment period, while minimizing large fluctuations in property tax or other revenue requirements for debt retirement. The amortization period will…
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$12 Million County Loan Guarantee Request – On Air with Meg on 7/2/24
Related County Board and Committee Video
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Request for Loan Guarantee for our SUV
Dear Supervisor, When I was on the Board, some felt it was helpful to subtract a few zeros off of project amounts to make them more relatable. In line with that suggestion, I am looking at purchasing a new commuting SUV for me and several neighbors and would like the County to guarantee the loan…
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County Highway Fund Unrestricted Net Position grew from $36,584,660 in 2017 to $54,318,896 in 2022
The rapid growth and significant balance in the County Highway Unrestricted Net Position raises questions regarding the justification for the County Wheel Tax, the justification for voting down the proposed $1,500,000 reduction in the 2024 property tax increase, and the justification for plans to borrow $58,625,000 for a new Highway Facility. These topics will be…
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HRFC Committee Chair Robinson Discusses Failure to Consider HHS Budget Amendment Proposal
HRFC Committee Chair Robinson states that the HRFC committee considered the HHS resolution and raises the issue of CIP rollover policy as a justification to not support the proposed $1,500,000 reduction in the proposed 2024 tax increase. In my opinion, the CIP rollover policy is vague and ambiguous, leading to valid questions regarding whether or…
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Supervisor Baker’s Debt Repayment and Debt Levy Policy Proposal
One of the objections to my plan to reduce the proposed 2024 tax levy increase by $1,500,000 has been the assertion that we need to consider an overall long term debt repayment and debt levy policy before we approve any reduction in the debt levy. Of course, one of the reasons for raising this issue…