The Marshfield Common Council approved the city's 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan at a special meeting on Monday, Oct. 19, adjusting project costs, funding sources and construction schedules across the five years.
The plan adds $80,000 in city funding toward replacing heating and cooling equipment at the Laird Fine Arts Building on the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at Marshfield campus, matching $80,000 already approved by Wood County. The work supports a larger renovation of the building backed by a $2 million state award.
A future Palmetto Avenue reconstruction between Becker Road and Grant Street, near Marshfield High School, now carries a state transportation grant of about $2.2 million for the project planned in 2031. Overall, the plan's changes cut expected long-term borrowing by about $1.45 million and reduced planned wastewater fund balance use by $995,000.
After a closed-session discussion, the council unanimously approved a 10-year agreement with Axon for the Marshfield Police Department. The deal covers body-worn cameras, squad cameras, Tasers, digital evidence storage and drones, though the final contract amount was not announced in open session.
Budget concerns remain. Employee health insurance, budgeted to rise about 8 percent for 2027, could climb higher, with one competing proposal projecting a 17 percent increase. The council also voted to include $38,366 in additional levy authority tied to the city's March 2026 snowstorm response.
Budget talks continue on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 5 p.m., with the proposed 2027 budget expected to go to a public hearing and possible adoption in November.
