MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – The City of Marshfield is poised to finalize its 2025 budget on Tuesday, November 26, at a Common Council meeting, following months of deliberation and tough decisions. The proposed $51.9 million budget reflects a tax rate of $8.06 per $1,000 of assessed valuation and includes nearly $1 million in cuts across multiple departments, raising concerns about the future of city services.
Increased Revenue, Persistent Deficit
Despite an additional $160,000 in projected revenues—due to higher Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) and reduced insurance costs—these gains were not enough to offset challenges like a $60,929 shortfall in anticipated tax collections tied to the Marshfield Clinic settlement. The city’s contingency fund has been bolstered to $200,000 to cover unexpected expenses, but decisions on restoring cuts will hinge on Tuesday’s final deliberations.
Department Reductions
Here are some of the most impactful cuts and their potential consequences:
Public Safety
- Fire Department: Two firefighter/paramedic positions ($211,800) will remain vacant, leading to slower emergency response times, increased strain on existing staff, and reduced capacity for training and hazardous material operations.
- Fire Chief Everett Mueller stated: “Not having two firefighters affects how the Marshfield Fire & Rescue Department operates in many ways. During normal operations, it puts more pressure on the rest of the team, leading to fatigue and slower responses. At fire scenes, fewer personnel mean it takes longer to perform tasks like search and rescue or setting up water hoses, which can make a dangerous situation worse. On EMS calls, fewer responders can delay medical care, especially if someone needs urgent help. In hazmat situations, it’s harder to manage safety and decontamination procedures without enough people. Confined space rescues also become more dangerous, as it takes extra hands to safely move equipment and rescue victims. During training exercises, having fewer team members means less realistic practice, which affects overall preparedness. In general, being short-staffed slows everything down, increases risks, and makes it harder to protect both the community and firefighters themselves.”
- Police Department: Requests for forensic technology upgrades, including a forensic workstation ($9,418) and a network switch ($6,864), were denied, potentially slowing cybercrime investigations.
Public Works
- Snow Maintenance: A $75,000 cut in the snow motor pool budget raises concerns about aging equipment and response capabilities during severe winter weather.
- Stormwater Maintenance: Reduced funding by $53,100 may delay infrastructure repairs, risking road deterioration and compliance issues with stormwater permits.
- Street Staffing: Leaving a vacant Equipment Operator I position unfilled ($80,000) will limit the city’s ability to maintain and repurpose materials like asphalt and concrete, increasing project costs.
Library
- Eliminating Sunday hours and cutting one full-time staff position will save $88,000 but may hinder service availability and community engagement.
- Library Director Jill Porter stated: “Out of the Library’s 33 staff members, only 16 employees work enough hours to qualify for the full benefits package. To address the remaining $66,000 budget deficit, the Library faced two options: eliminate multiple non-benefitted part-time positions—leaving the Library unable to operate six days per week—or eliminate one full-time, benefitted position. Ultimately, the Library chose the latter as the only viable option.”
- Additionally, in 2021, the Library received a $92,000 multi-year grant to help fund its integrated library system and participation in the South Central Library System interlibrary loan program. The grant covered 75% of costs in 2022, 50% in 2023, and 25% in 2024. In 2025, the Library will pay the full cost of the software for the first time, creating additional budget pressure alongside rising inflation.
Parks and Recreation
- Ash Tree Treatments: A $7,500 reduction ends treatment programs for ash trees, leaving them vulnerable to the Emerald Ash Borer and increasing future removal costs.
- Special Events: Programs like “Howl-ween” and “Be the Bunny” at Wildwood Zoo face cancellation due to a $5,000 cut.
- Youth Sports: A $5,000 reduction in UW-Stevens Point sports field upkeep will shift youth soccer practices elsewhere, disrupting programs and increasing costs for families.
Technology and Efficiency Cuts
The city also plans to eliminate two part-time document processor positions in its technology department ($26,060 total), reducing its ability to digitize and manage historical records. While these roles are not public-facing, their loss will strain existing staff and delay internal efficiencies.
Community Impact
The budget constraints reflect difficult trade-offs as the city prioritizes core services over enhancements. While some cuts, like reduced hours for Wenzel Family Plaza’s fountain, may seem minor, others—such as the firefighter and paramedic vacancies—could impact public safety.
City Administrator Steve Barg defended the proposed cuts, emphasizing the need to protect current full-time employees’ wages and benefits. However, he acknowledged that reductions in compensation, such as a scaled-back pay increase for non-represented employees, could affect workforce retention and morale.
Next Steps
The public is encouraged to attend the November 26 hearing to share their perspectives on the proposed budget. The final vote will determine whether the Council opts to restore some cuts or maintain the expanded contingency fund to brace for unforeseen challenges in 2025.
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Author: News Desk
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