Continued funding for non-profits is advised by county committees

Three Marathon County committees are recommending the continued use of tax dollars to pay for work done by five non-profit groups previously targeted for defunding during last year’s budget process. However, one of the committees wants to give the county administrator the power to cut the funding by up to 8 percent if needed to minimize tax increases.

Members of the Health and Human Services (H& HS) Committee voted unanimously last week Wednesday to fully fund a $40,000 contract with United Way 211 and a $33,757 contract with North Central Community Action Program (NCCAP), both of which work with residents in need of necessities such as housing, food and medical assistance.

Committee members did not take long to pass the funding resolution after hearing presentations from representatives of the two non-profits, which have written agreements with the county to provide specific services in conjunction with various departments.

The Extension, Education and Economic Development Committee (EEEDC) voted last Thursday to fund the Marathon County Historical Society, which uses its $54,376 county contribution to help run the Leigh Yawkey Museum, maintain its archive of local historical documents and put on educational programs for the public. The committee also recommended continued funding for the Marathon County Development Corporation (MCDEVCO), at $40,000, for “business education, training, and mentorship programs.” The resolution adopted by the EEEDC was partially written by supervisor Dave Baker, who included a provision that would allow administrator Lance Leonhard to reduce the nonprofi t funding by as much as 8 percent in case there was a need for “broadbased” budget cuts. Supervisors Tom Rosenberg and Rick Seefeldt voted against this resolution, preferring instead to guarantee full funding for the historical society and MCDEVCO.

Baker said his resolution was prompted in part by the mention of a possible 9.92 percent tax increase, which he called “unreasonable.”

“Hopefully, Administrator Leonard will be able to put a budget together without that tax increase that still maintains those services, but I just want to provide some flexibility,” he said.

Leonhard said he appreciated having the flexibility provided by Baker’s proposal.

At one point, supervisor Crystal Bushman suggested cutting the historical society’s funding in half, but that proposal did not make it into a motion.

Lastly, on Tuesday, the Public Safety Committee voted to continue funding for the Women’s Community ($55,000 for domestic abuse support), Judicare Mediation ($15,000 for out-of-court civil settlements) and NCCAP ($33,757).

“Every one of these entities does a lot for us,” said supervisor Jean Maszk before making the motion to approve the funding.

County funding for non-profit groups has been a contentious issue at budget time for a number of years, with various attempts made to eliminate payments to such organizations. Last fall, a motion to defund five non-profits – United Way 211, the historical society, NCCAP, Wisconsin Judicare, and The Women’s Community – was soundly defeated by a vote of 5-31.

Since then, representatives from these non-profits have been giving informational presentations to the committees that oversee them, with the goal of getting funding recommendations for the 2024 budget before this fall.