Budget Add-On Provides Help In Central Wisconsin Village’s Debt Crisis

A last-minute provision tacked onto the state budget could help resolve a debt crisis facing the central Wisconsin Village of Brokaw.

Stung by the loss of its paper mill and facing a $3 million debt, Brokaw could find itself unable to pay its bills within a matter of weeks. However, a budget measure added by Republican Sen. Jerry Petrowski would make it easier for the nearby Town of Maine to become a village and absorb Brokaw and its debt, according to town Chairwoman Betty Hoenisch.

“We needed to get it through this session because of the dire straits that Brokaw is in. We wanted to have some tools so that when and if they dissolve, or when and if we do some sort of agreement with them, this is in place. This will go to a referendum,” said Hoenisch.

The City of Wausau is also considering annexing Brokaw. It had scheduled a special session Thursday night to discuss Petrowski’s measure.