​Marshfield, WI – The Parks, Recreation & Forestry Committee meeting on July 9, 2025, to discuss significant updates and challenges facing the department, including proposed improvements to Hackman Field and Columbia Park Band Shell, as well as the preparation of the 2026 budget amidst financial constraints. ​

Hackman Field Upgrades ​Representatives from American Legion Baseball Post 54 presented plans to enhance Jack Hackman Field at Steve J. Miller Park. ​ Proposed upgrades include replacing the outdated scoreboard ($30,000–$35,000), expanding dugouts ($5,000–$7,500), and upgrading the sound system ($2,500–$5,000). ​

The total estimated cost ranges from $37,500 to $47,500, with a target completion date of November 1, 2025. These improvements aim to enhance the game-day experience, improve player comfort, and position Hackman Field as a potential site for high-level tournaments that could boost the local economy. ​ Post 54 plans to fundraise and seek sponsorships to cover costs, with the Committee recommending approval of the proposal. ​

Columbia Park Band Shell Restoration ​Donna Rozar, a longtime Marshfield resident and community leader, outlined her vision for restoring the historic Columbia Park Band Shell, built in 1931. ​ The restoration will preserve the Band Shell’s architectural character while improving its functionality. ​

Planned upgrades include restoring windows, doors, brick and limestone elements, restrooms, and other architectural features. ​ Rozar has pledged $50,000 toward a $100,000 fundraising goal, with the Committee recommending approval of the project.

2026 Budget Preparation ​The Committee also began discussions on the 2026 budget, highlighting the need to prioritize core services and explore cost-saving measures. ​ Cuts from previous budget cycles have already impacted services, including reduced hours at facilities, fewer seasonal staff, and scaled-back programming.

​Potential future cuts could include closing ice skating rinks, reducing zoo hours, and increasing fees for facility rentals and programs. ​

Director Justin Casperson emphasized the importance of Committee input in setting priorities, adjusting policies, and advocating for adequate funding. ​ Suggestions for revenue generation include charging higher fees, retaining a greater percentage of room tax collections, and developing aggressive fundraising campaigns. ​

Upcoming MeetingsThe next Parks, Recreation & Forestry Committee meeting is scheduled for August 13, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., followed by a park tour on September 10, 2025. ​

Community EngagementResidents are encouraged to stay informed and participate in discussions about the future of Marshfield’s parks and recreation services. ​ Recordings are available within 24 hours. ​
For more information, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at (715) 384-4642 or visit www.ci.marshfield.wi.us. ​

By David Ballerstein
​Marshfield, WI -- The City of Marshfield has a full agenda for early July, with two Common Council meetings scheduled next week to address a range of significant issues—from renewing tourism partnerships to discussing major borrowing plans for city projects.
At a special Common Council meeting set for Wednesday, July 9, city leaders will meet with Visit Marshfield representatives to discuss the future of the city’s tourism efforts. The city’s current agreement with Visit Marshfield, which handles tourism promotion, is in its final year. Officials plan to review Visit Marshfield’s achievements and discuss priorities for the next three years.
“They do a great job bringing people to town, promoting events like the Maple Fall Fest, and supporting various community initiatives,” said City Administrator Steve Barg during the latest episode of Council Preview on Marshfield Now. “The Council wants to know what projects they’re working on and how future funds might be spent to attract more visitors.”
Visit Marshfield relies heavily on room tax revenues collected from local hotels, with 70% of those funds allocated to tourism promotion and 30% retained by the city for Parks and Recreation programs.
Regular Council Meeting on July 8
The Council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, July 8, will feature several major presentations and financial matters.
Sierra Starner Heffron, recently hired as the Business Development Director at the Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MACCI), will provide a quarterly update on business retention, development, marketing, and workforce efforts. The city contributes roughly $48,000 annually toward this position and will hear how MACCI’s work ties into Marshfield’s broader economic growth strategies.
“This is a good check-in to make sure the city’s investment is being put to work effectively,” Barg noted.
Financial Audit and Borrowing Plans
Also on the agenda is a presentation from CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA), the city’s independent auditor. CLA will deliver findings from the city’s 2024 financial audit, a crucial report that helps guide budget planning for the coming year.
“The audit gives us a snapshot of how we ended 2024 and helps us plan for 2026,” Barg said, noting the city performed well financially, partly due to a mild winter that reduced costs for snow removal.
The Council will also review plans for approximately $9.7 million in borrowing for 2025—significantly higher than the city’s typical annual borrowing of $4–4.5 million. A large portion of this borrowing is tied to the renovation of the Wildwood Plaza building for the new police station, a multi-year project. The remainder will fund street maintenance, building improvements, and equipment purchases.
“This borrowing spike is unusual but necessary,” Barg explained. “It’s well thought out and structured over 20 years to spread the cost fairly.”
Lead Service Line Replacements
Addressing public health concerns, Water Utility Manager Nick from Marshfield Utilities will present an ordinance requiring property owners to replace lead and galvanized water service lines. After delays due to previous lapses in state funding, financial assistance programs have reopened, offering either full loan forgiveness or a 75% forgiveness structure for homeowners depending on eligibility.
The Council will also consider resolutions enabling the city to issue promissory notes and enter agreements required for these water service replacements.
Historic Preservation and Downtown Grants
In other business, the Council will review a request for a grant from Wood County’s Building Renovation Grant Program. If successful, the city hopes to revive a program that provides matching funds to help downtown businesses improve building facades or interior spaces. The city would contribute $25,000 if the county provides matching funds, with the goal of restoring the program to a $50,000 level in 2026.
“This program has made a significant difference for downtown businesses in the past,” Barg said. “It’s clearly economic development, and we’re hopeful for the county’s support.”
Early Look at Budget Priorities
Finally, the Council will begin initial discussions on 2026 budget priorities. The city wants input from council members early in the process to avoid surprises later in the year.
“Tell us what you want to protect if we need to make cuts,” Barg urged. “Whether it’s parks, streets, or other services, this is the time to speak up.”
Both meetings are expected to set the stage for critical decisions affecting the city’s finances, infrastructure, and future growth.

By David Ballerstein
WOOD COUNTY — On a recent episode of “Coffee with the Mayor,” Wood County Sheriff Shawn Becker joined Mayor Lois TeStrake for a candid discussion covering his law enforcement career, community issues, family life, and the county’s major investment in a new jail facility.
Becker, who is currently serving his second term and plans to run for a third, reflected on his decision to seek the sheriff’s office. He said the choice was deeply rooted in both his career trajectory and family support.
“It really came down to two things: my career path and my family,” Becker said. “We were empty nesters at the time, and my wife Julie and I talked about whether this fit in our lives. It was a family decision.”
Community Policing and Mental Health Focus
Throughout his tenure, Becker has focused on mental health as a key pillar of law enforcement efforts. He emphasized collaborating with community stakeholders to address mental health challenges—a platform he said has only grown stronger over time.
“It’s been awesome to see progress over the past seven years,” he noted, adding that community support remains vital despite national conversations that sometimes cast law enforcement in a negative light.
Becker acknowledged the impact of national media narratives on recruitment and public perception, stating that interest in law enforcement careers has declined significantly since he first started. “Years ago, I’d be competing with hundreds of applicants for a job,” he said. “Now departments are getting 25 to 30 applications.”
Deep Roots in Central Wisconsin
Although Becker grew up in the Chicago area, his family relocated to Stevens Point when he was ten, cementing his connection to Central Wisconsin. Initially interested in teaching, Becker found his calling in law enforcement during college.
He began his career at the Sauk Prairie Police Department before returning to Central Wisconsin when Wood County offered him an opportunity. “I’m very grateful to be here. Things happen for a reason,” he said.
A Family Dedicated to Service
Becker and his wife Julie, who co-owns Earth Construction in the Plover area, raised two daughters. Their eldest, Jordan, works as a dispatcher for the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department and recently welcomed a son, River Becker Moon, four weeks ahead of schedule.
The sheriff beamed as he spoke of his first grandchild, who spent several days in the NICU but is now thriving. “He’s around seven pounds now and doing great,” Becker said.
His younger daughter, Caitlin, lives in Madison with her husband, Dylan, a recent graduate of the Madison Fire Department’s academy. Caitlin holds a master’s degree in social work and works for a nonprofit partnering with local school districts.
Community Support for the New Jail
Mayor TeStrake and Sheriff Becker also discussed the county’s significant investment in a new jail facility, which Becker called “the best thing that could have happened to Wood County.”
The sheriff praised county board members for asking tough questions and ultimately supporting the project despite rising costs. The facility, which came with a price tag exceeding $70 million due to inflation and construction costs, was deemed essential for modern public safety and inmate care.
“We didn’t get much opposition because people understood that safety is the number one priority,” said Becker. TeStrake echoed his sentiment, noting how important it was to inform Marshfield residents about the project’s purpose and benefits.
As Wood County continues evolving, Sheriff Becker said he remains committed to public service and the community that welcomed him decades ago. “You do good things for good people, and it comes back your way,” TeStrake said.