Meet the candidates for Marathon County Board of Supervisors in Dist. 38

Wausau Pilot & Review

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The Marathon County Board of Supervisors Dist. 38 is sought this year by two new candidates, after Bobby Niemeyer opted not to seek a second term. Brandon Jensen and Jonathan Fisher are running for the seat in the April 2 election. Here is more about each candidate.

What motivated you to run for office?

Fisher: Service. I want to serve on behalf of my neighbors, residents of District 38, and all of Marathon County. I am driven to make sure local voices are heard and represented at the County level and above. We must do everything possible to keep the cost of government in check, ensuring that each tax dollar is spent wisely and efficiently. Every effort must be made to make sure our local municipalities have a seat-at-the-table when it comes to County level decisions that impact the local tax base.

Jensen: As a resident of District 38, I believe it is important to vote for the candidate who genuinely represents our shared values and ideals. I am committed to advocating for you, prioritizing your concerns, and fostering a stronger community. My principles are deeply rooted in faith, family, and a love of community, which motivated my decision to run for this position. With 19 years of experience at a local manufacturer, I possess the necessary skills and transferable expertise to serve effectively, if elected.

What is the biggest concern you have about the way Marathon County government operates today, and how do you propose to manage that, if elected?

Fisher: This is a great question as it really makes you think about the thousands of operations of the County. One change I would make would be around how the County works with the local municipalities. We are all connected and our municipalities can suffer when parcels are pulled off their books over to the county. We need to be smart and efficient about using current county land resources and consider repurposing or site consolidation. All residents around the County are impacted by the services provided and the tax base for local municipalities needs to be closely considered so funds are available to pay for essential services.

Jensen: What I see as a citizen and what I may come to understand about the way the Marathon Government operates could be different, should I be elected Supervisor for District 38. I believe increased communication and transparency always go a long way in improving any government entity.

If elected, what steps would you take to put our county on firmer financial footing?

Fisher: According to the County’s auditor, Baker Tilly, the County is in good financial shape and has been for a number of years. Marathon County holds an Aa1 credit rating from Moody’s Investor Services. This rating puts us in the best position in the case of financial hardship or if a great opportunity presents in the future. Marathon County also currently has reserves and we’ve only used 12% of our legally allowable borrowing limit. Maintaining this strong financial footing will require making smart investments in repairs or renovations to County facilities, scheduling our road and bridge repairs to get the most out of our future state transportation aid, and supporting grant processes whenever available.

Jensen: The three things that come to mind as things that will lead to a firmer financial footing for Marathon County are fiscal responsibility and transparency, effective budget management and responsible debt management. Greater attention should be directed towards individual committees prior to any spending requests or budget presentations being made to the HR Finance Committee.

How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in our community and be transparent in your decision-making?

Fisher: As a supervisor supporting the voices of rural areas of the north County, it is important to know when County issues may impact them. Working closely with the village and town residents will be my priority. A prime example from my prior term was during the Brokaw Park expansion discussion, I received feedback from the Village of Maine which I took back to the full board. The park expansion was successful, but this feedback helped to spur a discussion about how the County should be working with the local municipalities moving forward. Seeking input and feedback is vital to how my decisions are formed, so it is incredibly important for me to maintain open and transparent lines of communication with the residents of District 38.

Jensen: There are numerous ways to communicate with the community. Social media, blogs, websites and regular listening sessions, come to mind. As I have been out meeting with residents, I haven’t been shy about sharing my phone number or email address where they can reach me for issues that are important to them. I would also encourage residents to watch the committee and full board meetings on YouTube. Residents that would like to be involved in decision making processes should always feel comfortable in contacting their elected County Board Supervisors to share their ideas and opinions.

How can Marathon County effectively tackle the ongoing housing shortage, particularly for people with low to moderate incomes?

Fisher: Housing is a local issue that must be handled within each of the towns, villages, and cities across the county. The County Board must work closely with these municipalities to ensure they are provided with all available resources when it comes to increasing the housing supply, or decreasing the burden for residents to access existing housing. Unique ideas could be brought forth as well, such as renovating unused County owned facilities into housing, and finding faster avenues to return properties taken through delinquent tax deed back to resident owned housing.

Jensen: More discussion will have to take place to confirm what may be right for Marathon County. Ideas that I have heard that seem worth exploring are reforming zoning regulations to allow for development and facilitating partnerships between non-profit organizations, community groups, and private sector stakeholders. These options allow the County to leverage resources, expertise, and collective action in addressing housing issues effectively.

What can Marathon County do to attract more businesses and more people to the area?

Fisher: Marathon County has a wealth of resources from educational opportunities, outdoor tourism activities, a strong employment base, and reasonable cost of living compared to other areas. The county board must do everything in their power to retain and attract new residents to fill the jobs our local employers have to offer. Continuing to invest in our local education resources is vital as well, to “train and retain” residents here in the County. Finally, the County needs to focus on supporting services that individuals expect like public transportation, flight availability at CWA, and recreational opportunities.

Jensen: The things I want to focus on to attract businesses and new residents are the same things that our existing businesses and residents want. Public safety with an emphasis on drug prevention and enforcement practices; Improvements and maintenance of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and transportation-related services; Identify cost saving measures that promote fiscal responsibility in our budget and for services provided. Long-time residents or individuals considering a move to Marathon County are looking for a community that is safe, well maintained, and has a low tax rate.

What role, if any, should supervisors play in determining which books are chosen for the Marathon County Public Library and how they are placed on the shelves?

Fisher: Much like the board doesn’t micro-manage the highway department, same should be said for the library. The Library Board reports to the County Board to ensure the branches are being run properly and within budget. The Library Board also works to place well trained leadership in place over the facilities across the County, and those leaders are responsible to pick their staff. These staff are then responsible for running the branches up to the high standards we all expect. The supervisors should be keeping a close eye on operating budgets and grant opportunities for funding and expanding resources into the communities served at each branch.

Jensen: The County Board’s role is focused on decisions regarding the library board budget. When it comes to selecting which books to fill the shelves of our library, that responsibility rests with the library board.

How do you feel about the transportation options available in our county, and what role, if any, should Marathon County play in tackling the challenges involved?

Fisher: Our employees are looking to get to work, our students to school, our residents to shopping, entertainment, and healthcare. The State law excluding counties from setting up regional transportation authorities hinders the ability of the County to assist. However, this does not stop the County from working with our local municipalities to enhance, expand, or improve pre-existing public transit services. We should always be looking to improve services for our residents wherever possible.

Jensen: It seems that numerous municipalities would have to collaborate to allow for broader public transportation to be implemented in the county. I would like to review research that may have already been completed in Marathon County on this matter. If there is a component to increasing public transportation that the County could help facilitate, I would be interested in being part of the discussion.

The County Board is large and diverse. How will you work with people whose views you do not agree with to find common ground?

Fisher: Good ideas are good ideas. Keeping an open mind is essential when it comes to public service. If you are unable to listen to another’s ideas, you’ve eliminated a potential problem solving opportunity. The supervisor role is non-partisan, which means you should be looking for the best ideas (not only certain ideas) that can benefit the largest number of our residents.

Jensen: Common ground can always be found if there is a common, shared goal. The best outcomes will come from individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives that work together. I believe that by being a good listener and an active participant in the conversation, we can bridge the differences of opinions to reach common ground.

What more do you want voters to know about you?

Fisher: I’m seeking to continue to serve again on behalf of my neighbors, residents of District 38, and all of Marathon County. I am driven to make sure local voices continue to be heard and loudly represented at the County level and above. Relying on my financial management skill set, and fondness for our community; will look to ensure each tax dollar is spent wisely, and lines of communication stay open with the residents of District 38.

Jensen: I am committed to serving the constituents of District 38, should I be elected. Through discussions with district residents, it is evident that we align on key values and goals for Marathon County. These include prioritizing personal responsibility and accountability, ensuring safe and well-maintained roads, focusing on expenditures and essential services, and preserving Marathon County a great place to live, work, and visit.