MARSHFIELD – On Jan. 20, the Wood County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution consenting to the issuance of up to $25,000,000 in taxable revenue bonds by the Public Finance Authority for multi-jurisdictional housing projects that include a property in Wisconsin Rapids.
The bonds will be issued on behalf of S.C. Swiderski LLC and related entities to refinance existing debt, cover eligible project costs and pay professional fees for multifamily housing developments located in Wisconsin Rapids, Plover and Medford.
Under Wisconsin law, local government consent is required when a bond-financed project is located within its jurisdiction.
The resolution does not impose any financial obligation or liability on Wood County, and the bonds will not be backed by county or city funds.
The bonds will be repaid solely by the borrower and will not count against the borrowing capacity of Wood County or the City of Wisconsin Rapids.
The county board also approved a budget amendment to the 2025 Edgewater Haven nursing home maintenance budget to cover the cost of emergency water line repairs that exceeded original estimates.
According to county documents, a water lateral failed at Edgewater Haven in January 2025, causing significant damage and requiring immediate repairs.
The work was completed in October 2025 at a total cost of $134,349.59, which was $21,717.59 higher than the initial estimate of $112,632.
Because the final cost exceeded the approved budget at the functional level, county rules and state law required the county board to formally amend the budget.
The resolution authorizes funding for the repairs using Edgewater Haven’s own financial resources.
The original estimate of $112,632 was covered by retained earnings from the facility’s 2024 surplus.
The cost overage will be funded through a combination of $15,979.41 from surplus funds in Edgewater Haven’s 2025 capital projects account and $5,738.18 absorbed within the facility’s 2025 operating budget.
The budget amendment was reviewed and approved by the Health and Human Services Committee and the Operations Committee before being adopted by the full board.
Edgewater Haven is a county-owned skilled nursing facility.
The Wood County Board of Supervisors also approved the 2026 Wood County Forests annual work plan, a requirement for participating in the Wisconsin County Forest Land Program.
Approval of the plan keeps the county eligible for approximately $59,040 in state aid.
The plan outlines a wide range of park and forest improvement projects for 2026, including shoreline stabilization, new shelters, campground upgrades, playground replacements, trail bridge repairs, road resurfacing and restroom construction at multiple county parks.
Planned improvements span South Park, Nepco Park, Powers Bluff, Dexter Park, North Park, the Richfield 360 Area and Cera Park.
The work plan also includes continued development of the county’s ATV and snowmobile trail system, with the Range Road ATV trail expected to open in spring 2026, along with ongoing bridge inspections and trail maintenance.
In addition to recreation projects, the plan details sustainable forest management practices, timber sales to generate county revenue, and forest protection measures addressing fire, disease, environmental degradation and overuse.
The plan also outlines required staffing time standards with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The Highway Infrastructure and Recreation Committee reviewed and recommended approval of the plan earlier this month.
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