Marinette County approves funds to support City of Marinette Airboat after reconsideration

Very last month the Marinette County Board of supervisors authorized contributing $43,900 to the Metropolis of Marinette towards the buy of a new 24 ft lookup and rescue airboat with the caveat that the county be ready to use the airboat. However, at yesterday’s County Board meeting a movement was brought forth by Supervisor Allen to rethink motion taken by the County board to transfer the $43,900 to the Metropolis of Marinette for acquire of the Airboat. Considering that the Metropolis of Marinette has recently allotted $500 per personnel for COVID-19 vaccinations employing ARPA resources when they could have used their ARPA cash towards the funding of the airboat in its place of inquiring the County for funding. County Administrator John Lefebvre says, “the Metropolis of Marinette obtained $1.1 million in ARPA funding.”

Supervisor Ken Keller says, “there is a motive why the town is hunting for participation in the purchasing of the airboat.”

Soon after a prolonged dialogue, the board voted, and it came in at 14 in favor of the airboat to 13 not in favor.  The expected supply date of the airboat is mid-January.