The County Administrator serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the County, and coordinates and manages all functions of County government that are not specifically vested in other boards, commissions, or elected officials.

Annual Budget

The annual budget is the single most important duty of the County Administrator as it relates to the County Board. Under statute, the Administrator is charged with submitting the annual budget to the Board, as well as keeping the County Board informed as to the condition of the County on a regular basis. This is also done each year as part of the budget message.

Official Appointments

The County Administrator, by statute, is responsible for appointing, with confirmation by the County Board, almost all members of various boards, commissions and committees (except the standing committees of the County Board). Such groups include the Park Commission, Library Board, 51.42 Board, Airport Board, Civil Service Commission, Board of Health, Solid Waste Management Board, Veterans Service Commission, and many others. The County Administrator is also responsible for appointing, evaluating, and if necessary, removing the majority of the appointed County Department heads. All appointments are confirmed by the County Board. Removing a County Department Head does not require the concurrence of the County Board, except in the case of the County Corporation Counsel.

General Management Duties

As Chief Administrative Officer for the County, the Administrator routinely reviews many other programs and activities involving every department of County government. The Administrator serves the County in many other ways by taking care that all County, state and federal laws are observed within County government. The Administrator works closely with all department heads to insure that all County employees are properly recruited, qualified and trained, and that all of the statutory duties of the various departments are being carried out properly. The Administrator frequently serves as a forum to settle issues between departments, other levels of government, and various boards and commissions. All major projects, such as capital projects and other large expenditures of public funds, are reviewed by the Administrator. The Administrator is responsible to see that all public funds are expended according to the annual budget set by the County Board, and that all such funds are administered in a way that provides maximum efficiency while balancing the needs of all citizens within the available program budgets. Additionally, the County Administrator, as the Chief Executive Officer of the County, must maintain the highest standards of integrity and competence in the discharge of the duties of the office, in such a way as to inspire confidence and trust in the County government on the part of all citizens of Marathon County. Finally, the Administrator, even though not elected, is looked upon as the most visible official representative of Marathon County Government, and must always lead by example.

Number of Positions (FTE) 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Non-Union (FTE) 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
TOTAL 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00

1/99

FUND: 100 General Fund

ORG1: 115 County Administrator

1997

Prior

 1998

Adopted Budget

 1998

Modified Budget

 Actual 8/31/98 1998 Estimated Category 1999 Requested Budget 1999 Recommended Budget 1999 Adopted Budget
$ 144,047 151,429 151,429 95,895 149,579 Personal Services $ 155,981 155,981 155,981
959 1,350 1,350 146 1,350 Contractual Services 1,150 1,150 1,150
15,279 13,746 13,950 6,547 13,967 Supplies and Expense 15,015 15,015 15,015
308 310 310 282 310 Fixed Charges 280 280 280
1,193 1,200 1,200 60 1,200 Grants, Contributions & Other 1,200 1,200 1,200
$ 161,786 168,035 168,239 102,930 166,406 Total Expenditures $ 173,626 173,626 173,626
$ 2,687 2,000 2,000 743 1,500 Miscellaneous Revenue $ 2,500 2,500 2,500
0 0 204 0 0 Other Financing Source 0 0 0
$ 2,687 2,000 2,204 743 1,500 Total Revenue $ 2,500 2,500 2,500
$ 159,099 166,035 166,035 102,187 164,906 TAX LEVY $ 171,126 171,126 171,126

FUND: 100 General Fund

ORG1: 131 Contingent Fund

1997

Prior

 1998

Adopted Budget

 1998

Modified Budget

 Actual 8/31/98 1998 Estimated Category 1999 Requested Budget 1999 Recommended Budget 1999 Adopted Budget
$ 0 $ 600,000 $ 590,700 $ 0 $ 590,700 Other Financing Uses $ 725,000 $ 650,000 $ 650,000
$ 0 $ 600,000 $ 590,700 $ 0 $ 590,700 Total Expenditure $ 725,000 $ 650,000 $ 650,000
$ 0 $ 600,000 $ 590,700 $ 0 $ 590,700 TAX LEVY $ 725,000 $ 650,000 $ 650,000

To review this page for detail is very difficult. These numbers are off the actual accounting records that create expenditures in the specific departments where contingent fund monies are transferred to when requested. Below is the actual history that provides a meaningful analysis.

CONTINGENT FUND EXPENDITURES FOR 1998

Items 1997 Actual Items 1998
Adopted $575,000 Adopted $600,000
Boarding - Jail 150,000 Support ITBEC 9,300
Sheriff Patrol 135,000 Possible Social Services 350,000
Social Services 152,450
BALANCE $137,550 $590,700

County Board

Marathon County was incorporated in 1850 and operates under a County Board - Administrator form of government. The County Board of Supervisors is comprised of 38 members who represent supervisory districts. Each District is determined by a population base of approximately 3037 citizens.

County Clerk's Office

This is a statutory office which is directed to handle elections, conservation licensing, dog licensing, marriage licenses, farmland preservation, execution of tax deed and subsequent sale of tax deeded properties, tax apportionment, be the Clerk to the County Board and retainer of records associated with all aspects of Board and Committee functions.

Our mission is to organize and carry out the above functions as well as a large variety of other duties such as: sale of plat books, maps, compiling and distribution of the county directory and statistical report, filing of all contracts, titles, agreements and leases in the most efficient manner possible.

County Board

Secretary to the County Board, keeping and recording all minutes of the County Board. Compiling a proceedings book of every resolution adopted, order passed and ordinance enacted by the County Board. Keeping accurate records on mileage and per diem for all County Board Supervisors and Citizen Members.

Communications

Mail, telephone and copying services are handled in this budget, with an eye towards always improving the quality of service to all departments.

Elections

To prepare and distribute all ballots to Marathon County municipalities, along with computer programming for results, tallying and canvassing of all votes at the primary, general and special elections.

Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses are only issued by the County Clerk's Office. Clerks shall verify that the parties may marry, and that all requirements are met and take all measures possible to insure the correctness of the information entered on the application and license. Marathon County issues approximately 900 licenses a year. The price of a marriage license in Marathon County is $60, allocation being $25-State, $20-Clerk of Court (family counseling), $15-County.

Conservation Licenses

Receipt, preparation, and distribution along with accounting on approximately 43 different applications and licenses available to sportspersons through 62 agents throughout Marathon County.

Dog Licenses

Dog tags and kennel tags are ordered and received from the state and distributed to all the local municipal treasurers in December. The local treasurers remit monies collected to the County Clerk in March and December.

Farmland Preservation Program

Application for Farmland Preservation is made through the County Clerk's Office. The Farmland Preservation Program was enacted to assist local people who want to preserve farmland and to provide a tax relief to farmers. Under the terms of this agreement, the farm land would remain in agricultural use and would become eligible for a credit or refund on state income taxes.

Tax Deed Property

By State Statute, properties with unpaid taxes after a limitation of time, are subject to be taken by tax deed. Guidelines on the sale of tax delinquent land are found in Marathon County Ordinance 3.20. Additionally, the ordinance contains information pertaining to the jurisdiction over county land in compliance with state law.

Direct Seller Permits

Transient merchants, upon entering and selling in Marathon County, need to obtain a direct seller permit from the County Clerk's Office. Application is filled out and a bond is paid. A background check is run through the Sheriff's Department on all salespersons. The permit is issued after all documents and background checks are completed and bond is paid.

Mailroom

Marathon County contracts with United Mailing Service to barcode all outgoing mail. With this service of barcoding, we are allowed to meter our mail at the lowest possible postage rate.

Miscellaneous

The County Clerk's Office has a variety of maps, quadrangles, and state, county, and city, plat books, available to the public. All promotional items are on sale through this office. All contracts, titles, agreements and leases are on file in the Clerk's Office.

Temporary Auto License

Effective September 1, 1998, a new law requires Wisconsin residents to display a metal license or a temporary cardboard license plate on a car or small truck within two business days of purchasing a vehicle. The Department of Motor Vehicles, as a courtesy to the public, requested the County Clerk's of the State of Wisconsin to assist them in issuing these plates.

*Elected Official

Number of Positions (FTE) 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Union (FTE) 7.00 7.00 7.00 6.75 7.0 6.00 5.20 5.20 5.20 4.00
Non-Union (FTE) 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Elected 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
TOTAL 9.00 9.00 9.00 8.75 9.00 8.00 7.20 7.20 7.20 6.00

1/99

FUND: 100 General Fund

ORG1: 120 County Clerk

1997

Prior

 1998

Adopted Budget

 1998

Modified Budget

 Actual 8/31/98 1998 Estimated Category 1999 Requested Budget 1999 Recommended Budget 1999 Adopted Budget
$ 196,119 242,890 242,890 134,216 242,890 Personal Services $ 219,157 219,066 219,066
329,141 333,684 333,684 238,894 261,381 Contractual Services 241,070 241,070 241,070
265,937 322,952 322,952 157,752 320,782 Supplies and Expense 306,412 306,412 306,412
413 1,000 1,000 0 1,260 Fixed Charges 1,260 1,260 1,260
(11,823) 0 0 0 0 Grants, Contributions & Other 0 0 0
0 2,900 2,900 0 2,900 Capital Outlay 2,900 0 0
$ 779,787 903,426 903,426 530,862 829,213 Total Expenditures $ 770,799 767,808 767,808
$ 28,630 27,000 27,000 16,978 27,775 License & Permits $ 28,300 28,300 28,300
83,351 21,400 21,400 37,676 42,000 Public Charges for Services 32,000 32,000 32,000
100,167 118,200 118,200 83,024 117,000 Intergov't Charges for Services 101,500 101,500 101,500
1,161 500 500 552 500 Miscellaneous Revenues 500 500 500
$ 213,309 167,100 167,100 138,230 187,275 Total Revenues $ 162,300 162,300 162,300
$ 566,478 736,326 736,326 392,632 641,938 TAX LEVY $ 608,499 605,508 605,508