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Citizen Portal News Wisconsin
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Marathon County conservation staff are urging a pause on a critical vote regarding animal-waste regulations after uncovering potential legal hurdles that could impose significant costs on landowners.

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#MarathonCounty #WI #PhosphorusRunoff #CitizenPortal #MarathonCountyConservation
Marathon County panel pauses vote on animal-waste ordinance after state legal questions about buffer cost-share
Marathon County conservation staff asked the Environmental Resources Committee to delay voting on a proposed animal-waste and cropland management ordinance after learning a state agency’s legal counsel may require cost share for proposed buffers; staff outlined nutrient-management training, incentives and a possible winter‑spreading license.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 11:43 AM
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Wausau's commission just greenlit a groundbreaking $19 million plan to replace lead service lines, potentially securing $11 million in principal forgiveness!

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#WausauMarathonCounty #WI #WaterSafety #CitizenPortal #WausauLeadService #PublicHealth #InfrastructureFunding
Wausau commission endorses recommendation for $19M lead‑service reimbursement package to DNR loan process
The commission recommended approval of a reimbursement resolution tied to proposed DNR funding (draft total $18,979,000) for lead‑service‑line replacement, with staff estimating about $11 million in principal forgiveness and the remainder as a low‑interest loan; the recommendation goes to finance Dec. 9 and then to council in January.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 10:19 AM
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Wausau's PFAS treatment system is thriving after a year of operation, with exciting updates on carbon management that could save the city 20% in costs!

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#WausauMarathonCounty #WI #WaterSafety #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalProtection #PublicHealth #WausauPFAS
Wausau updates PFAS treatment: GAC system operating, reuse of reactivated carbon allowed, permit comment period open
Donahue Engineering said the granular activated carbon PFAS treatment system has operated for more than a year, contractors will replace failing air‑release valves and coat a treatment‑room floor, and DNR allowed reactivated carbon (vendors in Oklahoma and Pennsylvania) that could save about 20% versus new carbon; the draft WPDES permit is open for public comment through Dec. 22, 2025.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 10:17 AM
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Wausau is on the brink of a $2.8 million solar project, but not everyone is convinced it's the right move for the city's future.

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#WausauMarathonCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #WausauWaterworks #RenewableEnergy #TaxCreditIncentives #InfrastructureDevelopment
Wausau commissioners split as city advances $2.8M solar plan and seeks sole‑source design approval
Commission staff told the Wausau Waterworks Commission the estimated solar-array project cost is $2.8 million and that the city will seek a sole‑source design award to Clark Dietz on Dec. 9 to meet tight tax‑credit deadlines; one commissioner said he cannot support the project without clearer financial justification.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 10:16 AM
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The district faces a staggering $600,000 shortfall in special-education funding, coupled with a looming 20% increase in health-insurance premiums, jeopardizing next year's budget.

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#WI #BudgetPlanning #CitizenPortal #SpecialEducationFunding #HealthInsurance
Business manager warns of SPED reimbursement shortfall and rising health-insurance costs
District business manager reported a likely reduction in special-education reimbursement from an earlier 42% estimate to 35% for the district, a roughly $600,000 swing versus budget assumptions, and signaled possible health-insurance premium increases after large claims.
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December 3, 2025 at 8:27 AM
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Monona City Council has just approved a groundbreaking amendment to enhance police pursuits with a new grappler device, set to roll out in just six months!

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#MononaDaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #LawEnforcementInnovation #MononaPolice #CivicAccountability
Monona council amends police pursuit policy to allow ‘grappler’ device
The Monona City Council voted to add the grappler device to the police department’s pursuit-intervention tools; the chief said the device will take about six months to obtain and train on and per-deployment consumables carry an additional cost.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 2:23 AM
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Wausau's Economic Development Committee has made a bold move to extend TID 7 for a year, earmarking nearly $1.9 million for affordable housing amidst lively debates on funding sources.

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#WausauMarathonCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #WausauAffordableHousing #CommunityFunding
Wausau committee votes to extend TID 7 for one year to support affordable housing
After debate about alternative funding sources, the committee voted to keep Tax Increment District 7 open for one year with an affordable-housing designation. Staff said the extension would leave roughly $1.9 million for housing and could permit a one-time transfer of $355,158 to operations if approved by council.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 1:55 AM
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Wausau is facing a looming crisis in affordable housing and care for its aging population, with projections showing a need for 145 additional long-term care beds by 2040.

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#WausauMarathonCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #WausauOlderAdults #LongTermCare #WorkforceDevelopment
Wausau staff hear regional study projecting steep older-adult housing and care needs; affordability and workforce named top concerns
Sam Wessel of the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission presented an 'Older Adult Housing Study' showing rising demand for independent living and long-term care: about 85 additional long-term care beds by 2034 and another ~60 by 2040. The study flags housing affordability and a shortage of care workers as the two main challenges.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 1:54 AM
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Wausau is gearing up to attract big developers by moving forward with a certified sites program that promises to streamline the path for new industrial projects!

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#WausauMarathonCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #BusinessInnovation #SiteDevelopment #EconomicGrowth
Wausau committee approves pursuing WEDC certified-sites program for Innovation Way campus
The committee voted to proceed with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) certified sites program to prepare roughly 99.5 acres on the Innovation Way business campus for industrial development; WEDC offered a pilot grant to cover up to half of due-diligence costs.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 1:53 AM
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West Bend's council just approved a significant collective bargaining agreement for dispatchers and clerical workers, alongside key budget plans for future developments!

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#WestBendCityWashingtonCounty #WI #BudgetTransparency #CitizenPortal #WestBendDispatchers
West Bend council approves dispatchers/clerical CBA and 2026 TID budgets, then adjourns into closed session on TID developments
The Common Council approved a 2026 collective bargaining agreement with dispatchers and clerical union Local 503 and adopted 2026 budgets for multiple Tax Increment Districts; the council then voted to enter closed session to discuss possible development agreements for TIDs 17 and 18.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 1:45 AM
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The West Bend council just greenlit significant budgets for key development districts and took a step into closed session to discuss potential game-changing agreements!

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#WestBendCityWashingtonCounty #WI #PublicFinance #CitizenPortal #GovernmentTransparency #WestBendTaxIncrements
West Bend council approves 2026 TID budgets, votes to enter closed session on two developer agreements
Council approved 2026 budgets for multiple tax increment districts — including TID 3 (~$751,000), TID 4 (~$1.6M), TID 5 (~$1M) and TID 9 (~$1.9M) — and later voted to adjourn into closed session under Wis. Stat. 19.85(1)(e) to discuss possible developer agreements for TID 17 and TID 18.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 1:42 AM
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Racine Unified's latest monitoring reports reveal persistent achievement gaps in reading, writing, and social studies, despite promising gains among some student groups.

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#WI #CitizenPortal #AchievementGaps #TeacherTraining #StudentProgress #RacineEducation
District monitoring shows mostly flat reading, writing and social‑studies results; science‑of‑reading efforts continue
Racine Unified’s monitoring reports showed most measures rated 'improvement needed' except early childhood reading; district staff highlighted oral reading fluency gains for early grades, about 11% ACT writing growth for Black students, and persistent achievement gaps. Board discussed interventions, teacher training and participation drops in upper grades.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 1:38 AM
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Washington County’s housing market is facing a critical shortage, with experts urging immediate action to meet the demand for affordable mid-market homes.

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#WestBendCityWashingtonCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #MarketAnalysis #AffordableHousing #WestBendHousing
Consultant: Washington County and West Bend face large shortfall of midmarket housing
A consultant told the West Bend council that Washington County’s rental and for‑sale markets are severely undersupplied at mainstream price points, estimating roughly 725 unit demand annually (about 3,600 units through 2030) if supply were aligned; he recommended targeted product types and public–private coordination.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 1:16 AM
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Washington County's rental market is tighter than ever, with a staggering 1% vacancy rate, and a major gap between incomes and new home prices—what does this mean for future housing?

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#WestBendCityWashingtonCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #MarketAnalysis #CommunityDevelopment
Consultant: West Bend and Washington County face tight rental market and a gap in ‘mainstream’ for-sale housing
A housing market study presented to the West Bend Common Council found very low rental vacancy, a shortage of mainstream for-sale product, and recommended a mix of higher-density for-sale and larger-scale rental projects, value-engineering and public–private coordination to meet demand.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 1:10 AM
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Kylie is rallying support for the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program, which has previously brought over $1.5 million to our community for vital outdoor projects!

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#MiddletonDaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #CommunitySupport #OutdoorRecreation #MiddletonStewardship
Commission hears staff brief on state Knowles‑Nelson stewardship funding and local resolution
Staff updated the commission about a resolution supporting reinstatement of state Knowles‑Nelson Stewardship funding; the program has previously provided municipal matching grants and the city clerk has shared materials with state contacts and the governor’s office.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 12:24 AM
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The 2 Rivers City Council has approved a controversial 4.05% tax levy increase, raising concerns among residents about its impact on household budgets while ensuring essential services remain funded.

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#TwoRiversManitowocCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #TwoRiversBudgets
2 Rivers adopts 2026 levy and budgets; council adds 2% for library amid resident concerns
The council adopted a 2026 tax levy increase of 4.05% (total levy $5,745,070.73) and a package of fund budgets; the package includes a 2% increase for Lester Public Library that residents had urged the council to support.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 12:03 AM
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Greendale School District's report card has soared 4.3 points, with impressive gains in math and third-grade reading—but can they overcome the challenges ahead?

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#WI #CitizenPortal #EquitableGrowth #AcademicBenchmarking #EducationReform
Greendale District report card rises 4.3 points as officials highlight gains in math and third-grade reading
Administration presented an academic benchmarking report showing a 4.3-point district report-card increase year over year, notable math gains (+10.5) and a third-grade ELA achievement jump; presenters noted growth is flat overall and flagged grade-to-grade dips to target for intervention.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 12:01 AM
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The 2 Rivers City Council is moving forward with a $510,000 renovation of the Neshoto Beach concession stand, set to expand its menu and introduce beer sales, all while balancing community needs and budget concerns.

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#TwoRiversManitowocCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety
2 Rivers directs major Neshoto Beach concession renovation, keeps operations city‑run with beer sales
Council directed staff to pursue a major renovation of the Neshoto Beach concession stand (middle option) with total project cost estimated at about $510,000–$520,000 and an estimated city property‑tax investment of about $130,000; council also approved a staff‑run operations plan with expanded menu and beer sales and a revenue split between special events and the general fund.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 11:57 PM
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The Monona Public Safety Committee just voted to update the police use-of-force policy, sparking a heated debate over the implications of changing key terminology.

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#MononaDaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #PolicyTransparency #MononaPublicSafety #CommunityAccountability
Committee forwards Monona Police use-of-force language updates to council after debate over statutory terms
The Public Safety Committee voted to send recommended edits to the Monona Police Departmentuse-of-force policy to the full council. The police chief said edits are primarily language alignment with statute (replacing 'serious physical injury' with 'great bodily harm'); a citizen raised concerns about intent.
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December 2, 2025 at 11:48 PM
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Wausau's city forester reveals a bold $500,000 initiative to combat ash tree loss and enhance urban greenery—discover how this plan aims to reshape our streetscapes!

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#WausauMarathonCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #CommunityGreening #WausauUrbanForestry #UrbanCanopy #TreeProtection
Wausau forester outlines $500,000 urban-forestry grant, ash-removal push and plan to strengthen tree protection
City forester John told the Parks and Recreation Committee the department received roughly a $500,000 grant used for a concentrated tree-planting effort and private ash-removal assistance; he urged staff training, contract changes and policy steps modeled on Madison to better protect trees during construction.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 4:48 PM
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An internal audit revealed a staggering $1.3 million in misallocation within Madison's fleet services, prompting urgent calls for stronger controls and accountability.

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#MadisonDaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #AuditRecommendations #MadisonFleet #FinancialTransparency
Internal audit finds $1.3M misallocation and control gaps in fleet; management outlines fixes
An internal audit of fleet services identified misallocation of vehicle acquisition costs (~$1.3M), two p‑card transactions that exceeded the $10,000 single‑transaction limit, and asset reconciliation discrepancies; fleet management and fire leadership described steps to reconcile records and improve inventory controls.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 11:13 AM
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Madison's finance team has unveiled a surprising year-end surplus of over $10 million, paving the way for significant investments in local priorities, including a $1 million boost to a shelter endowment!

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#MadisonDaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #TransitFunding #BudgetSurplus
Madison projects year‑end surplus; committee seeds $1M shelter endowment in appropriation resolution
Finance staff projected higher revenues and underspending that together point to an estimated year‑end surplus; the committee approved a year‑end appropriation (Legistar 90,967) including a $1,000,000 transfer to seed a shelter endowment and increases to several direct appropriations, including Metro Transit subsidy.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 11:12 AM
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The Verona Area School District celebrates a solid 76.6 score on the state report card, highlighting significant growth and a notable drop in absenteeism!

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#WI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CivicAccountability #EducationReform
District's state report card shows 76.6 score; board hears attendance gains and middle-school growth
Administrator Amy told the board the district earned a 76.6 overall score (DPI's exceeds-expectations band), growth rose +3.8 points from 2324 to 2425, chronic absenteeism fell from 17.7% to 16.8%, and the district will continue targeted supports and results-policy work.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 9:35 AM
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The Plan Commission has greenlit a striking 16-story redevelopment project that will transform the historic 450 W. Gilman site into a vibrant mixed-use hub, but concerns from neighbors about preservation loom large.

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#MadisonDaneCounty #WI #HistoricPreservation #CitizenPortal
Commission recommends approval of 16‑story Gilman/Francis redevelopment and demolition of 450 W. Gilman; neighbors urge documentation and caution
The Plan Commission recommended approval of demolition for 450 W. Gilman and a rezoning and conditional‑use for a 16‑story mixed‑use building with 118 apartments and rooftop amenities, despite neighborhood concerns about historic preservation and driveway/loading impacts; Landmarks gave a Category B finding for the existing building.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 9:28 AM
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Madison's Plan Commission has greenlit a groundbreaking 16-story, car-free apartment building, despite heated neighborhood concerns about delivery logistics and safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

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#MadisonDaneCounty #WI #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #SustainableLiving
Plan commission approves 16‑story, auto‑free apartment at 139 W. Wilson with strict management conditions (6–2)
After neighborhood objections about a narrow driveway, delivery turnaround and potential cycle‑track impacts, the Plan Commission approved conditional uses for a 16‑story, car‑free apartment building at 139 W. Wilson Street on a 6–2 roll call, subject to an approved management plan, engineering review of right‑of‑way impacts, and specified site conditions.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 9:26 AM