Marathon County Supervisors Debate TIF Proposal Amendment During Joint Review Board Meeting

Marathon County's Board of Supervisors engaged in a significant discussion during their regular meeting on July 22, 2025, focusing on proposed amendments to the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) process. The board considered an amendment that would change the language in a resolution from "consider" to "require" regarding adherence to ten established standards for evaluating future TIF proposals.

The amendment, introduced by a board member, aimed to strengthen the guidelines for TIF evaluations, particularly emphasizing the importance of standard number six, which addresses the limits of TIF capacity. This standard is crucial as it stipulates that up to 12% of the total municipal equalized value can be allocated to TIF districts. The speaker expressed concern that this guideline has often been overlooked and urged fellow board members to scrutinize their approval processes more closely.

However, the proposal faced pushback from other supervisors who highlighted potential legal implications of using the word "require." Supervisor Marash noted that such language could impose a regulatory burden akin to an ordinance, which might lead to legal challenges if not enacted properly. Marathon County's Corporation Counsel supported this view, explaining that the term "require" could conflict with the discretionary nature of the evaluations that representatives must undertake.

The discussion also touched on the limitations of the county's authority in managing TIF districts, with Supervisor Hagen reminding members that their powers are derived from state law, which cannot be overridden. This point underscored the need for any reforms to be pursued at the state level rather than through local resolutions.

Despite the debate, the board ultimately agreed on the necessity of providing guidance to representatives regarding the evaluation of TIF proposals. The resolution aims to ensure that the ten standards are considered during decision-making, without mandating specific outcomes. This approach seeks to balance the need for oversight with the flexibility required in evaluating diverse TIF projects.

As the board moves forward, the implications of this discussion will be closely monitored by community stakeholders, particularly as they relate to the responsible management of TIF districts and the potential impact on local development. The board's commitment to refining the TIF evaluation process reflects a proactive stance in addressing fiscal responsibility and community needs.