Marshfield Council Preview: Budget, EMS Rates, Police Station Plans, and More on Sept. 23 Agenda

By David Ballerstein - Marshfield Now!
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MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield Common Council’s second September meeting is set for Tuesday, Sept. 23, with a wide-ranging agenda covering public safety, infrastructure, economic development, and community funding. City Administrator Steve Barg and Mayor Lois TeStrake previewed the upcoming session on the Council Preview Program aired on Marshfield Now!
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EMS Rate Adjustments and Contracts
Marshfield Fire and Rescue, which provides EMS services to 13 surrounding municipalities, is seeking modest increases in ambulance billing rates to keep up with inflation. Basic life support transports would rise from $1,250 to $1,300, while advanced life support would increase from $1,400 to $1,450.
The city contracts with neighboring towns and villages for EMS coverage, and those municipalities would also see about a 3% increase in their service fees. Barg emphasized that the department operates as an enterprise fund, meaning taxpayer dollars are not used for EMS services

Infrastructure Improvements on Vine Avenue
Two major road projects on Vine Avenue are scheduled for 2027 and 2028. Council members will review engineering agreements for sewer and water upgrades tied to the federally funded street reconstruction. Design work, estimated at $47,000, will be shared between Marshfield Utilities and the city’s wastewater department

New Police Station Progress
Plans to relocate the Marshfield Police Department to the former Wildwood Plaza continue moving forward. A geotechnical study, including soil borings and contamination checks, is expected to be approved. The work, costing about $7,750, is necessary before full construction begins in 2027

Expansion in Norwood Industrial Park
Quality Tank Solutions is seeking a conditional use permit to build a 54,000-square-foot expansion in the Norwood Industrial Park. Because the project exceeds 50,000 square feet, a review of traffic flow, drainage, and infrastructure impact is required. The development falls within Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District 13, and city officials expect the company may request financial assistance through TIF incentives

Utility Commission Appointment
The council will also consider a second reading to reappoint Paul Capela to a seven-year term on the Utility Commission. Capela has already served five years and expressed interest in continuing his role

Zoning Code Amendments
Two companion ordinances are up for first reading, both addressing setbacks along major streets. The proposed changes would reduce the required 50-foot setback, allowing developments to follow district-level standards, typically around 35 feet. A companion ordinance would ensure that property owners are not penalized if future city right-of-way acquisitions unintentionally create noncompliance

Budget Requests from Community Organizations
Only two non-city organizations have submitted funding requests for the 2026 budget cycle:

• Marshfield Area Community Foundation (MACCI) – $47,000 to support its business development director and $6,000 for trade shows and outreach.
• Main Street Marshfield – $10,000 for downtown marketing and $18,000 for beautification projects, including planters and the Welcome Back façade improvement program
  
  

Weinbrenner Building Redevelopment
The city will reissue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for redevelopment proposals at the former Weinbrenner building. Previous proposals focused heavily on affordable housing, but city leaders now hope to attract developers with ideas for market-rate housing or mixed-use commercial projects

Communications Department Funding Challenges
Council members will also hear a report from the Communications Department, which oversees Marshfield Broadcasting and community media services. Funding has declined as fewer residents subscribe to traditional cable TV, which provides franchise fee revenue. The department will present its accomplishments and explore potential solutions to ensure long-term stability

Marshfield Mall Redevelopment Success
The meeting will close with a progress report on the Marshfield Mall redevelopment, which has brought new retailers like Hobby Lobby, Ross, and Five Below. The city contributed through pay-as-you-go TIF financing, reimbursing the developer with a portion of the new tax revenue generated

Public Participation
The Marshfield Common Council meets Tuesday, Sept. 23, at 6:00 p.m. Residents are encouraged to attend in person at City Hall or watch live on Marshfield Now!

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