Board considers authorizing outside counsel and county PFAS inventory; airport raises language concerns

Marathon County considered a resolution to hire outside counsel on a contingency basis to pursue litigation against companies responsible for PFAS contamination in county soil, groundwater and surface water.

The resolution (14-26) would authorize outside counsel to initiate lawsuits against companies that manufactured, marketed, distributed or sold PFAS (transcript uses the term "PIFA") linked to contamination. Lance and other board members noted they had discussed the proposal with the airport director, who asked for slight phrasing adjustments to avoid unintended implication of airport operations; Vice Chair Dickinson said he had spoken with Director Griefy and would support the airport‑suggested language.

Supervisor Robinson offered an amendment directing administration to evaluate past and current county practices that may have resulted in releases or exposures and to inventory county operations as a basis for guiding counsel; she said she would provide amendment language later. No final disposition of the resolution or recorded vote is included in the provided transcript.

The item was presented for discussion and refinement; staff and board members indicated they would bring revised language forward for formal action.