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

Final month the Marinette County Board of supervisors accepted contributing $43,900 to the Metropolis of Marinette toward the purchase of a new 24 ft research and rescue airboat with the caveat that the county be ready to use the airboat. Nonetheless, at yesterday’s County Board assembly a movement was brought forth by Supervisor Allen to reconsider action taken by the County board to transfer the $43,900 to the Town of Marinette for purchase of the Airboat. Given that the Town of Marinette has a short while ago allocated $500 for each employee for COVID-19 vaccinations utilizing ARPA resources when they could have used their ARPA funds in the direction of the funding of the airboat instead of inquiring the County for funding. County Administrator John Lefebvre states, “the Metropolis of Marinette acquired $1.1 million in ARPA funding.”

Supervisor Ken Keller states, “there is a reason why the city is hunting for participation in the buying of the airboat.”

Following a lengthy dialogue, the board voted, and it came in at 14 in favor of the airboat to 13 not in favor.  The predicted shipping date of the airboat is mid-January.