Marshfield Citizens Face Rising Taxes in 2023

MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – The City of Marshfield Common Council voted Wednesday to approve the 2023 budget. The final vote was 5-5, with Mayor Lois TeStrake breaking the tie with a “Aye” vote.

Alderpersons Voting “Nay” were Feirer, Poeschel, Witzel, Spiros, and O’Reilly. Voting “Aye” were Tompkins, Varsho, Wagner, Fischer, and Hendler.

The budget includes a maximum-permitted tax increase of 1.04% (from 10.51 to 10.5818037) and a new Street Light Tax, as well as approximately $800,000 (about 3.54%) in cuts from the General Fund to balance the budget. (For background on the budget, click here.) During the meeting, $40,000 was approved to be added back into Public Safety, with funds coming from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The street light tax involves an additional fee (approximately $2) on every utility bill per month for those who own property within city limits.

Reductions/cuts include:

• Reduce $125,000 in Law enforcement budget
• Reduce $50,000 in Fire Prevention budget
• Reduce $135,204 in employee HSA contributions
• Eliminate Associate Planner position (currently vacant)
• Eliminate Wild Wednesdays program
• Eliminate education and training for HR Director
• Delaying replacement of HR administrator support for 2 months
• Eliminate contribution to Civic Band
• Eliminate contribution to North Wood County Historic Society
• Reduce exterior window washing at City Hall
• Reduce mowing parks to 1x/week
• Eliminate purchase of salt reserves for roads
• Eliminate curbside brush/branch collection and curbside yard waste.
• Eliminate Part-Time library position
• Reduce Vandehey Waters hours
• Reduce zoo hours
• (see full list here)

 Watch the full meeting here.

The adopted budget comes as Marshfield residents are also potentially facing a school referendum and public safety referendum.

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