Wisconsin DNR spent $5.2 million on property maintenance

MADISON — A new report says the state Department of Natural Resources paid contractors about $5.2 million to maintain agency properties over the fiscal year that ended June 30.

A law passed as part of the 2007-09 state budget require the DNR to submit a report on maintenance contract expenses to the Legislature's finance committee annually. The agency sent a report to the committee on Monday showing it spent $5.27 million on contractors to handle a wide range of tasks on DNR properties, including excavating, controlling invasive species and maintaining dams and trails.

The DNR spent about $5.55 million on maintenance contractors during the 2013-14 fiscal year.