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

Previous month the Marinette County Board of supervisors authorized contributing $43,900 to the Metropolis of Marinette towards the obtain of a new 24 ft search and rescue airboat with the caveat that the county be ready to use the airboat. Nonetheless, at yesterday’s County Board meeting a movement was brought forth by Supervisor Allen to reconsider action taken by the County board to transfer the $43,900 to the City of Marinette for purchase of the Airboat. Since the City of Marinette has lately allocated $500 for every staff for COVID-19 vaccinations using ARPA funds when they could have employed their ARPA money towards the funding of the airboat instead of asking the County for funding. County Administrator John Lefebvre claims, “the City of Marinette received $1.1 million in ARPA funding.”

Supervisor Ken Keller says, “there is a purpose why the city is wanting for participation in the buying of the airboat.”

Soon after a lengthy discussion, the board voted, and it arrived in at 14 in favor of the airboat to 13 not in favor.  The envisioned supply day of the airboat is mid-January.