[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6454425,"mediaKeyId","5860857-1ad0c857a1d9c77bf9be1befc2753c32","parentId",5860857,"title","Wausau parks director outlines 2026 budget trade-offs, recommends fee increases and pool rotation","audioSeconds",748,"startMs",242000,"endMs",990000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860857-1ad0c857a1d9c77bf9be1befc2753c32&start=242&end=990","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860857-1ad0c857a1d9c77bf9be1befc2753c32/thumbnail_242000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6454425/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-parks-director-outlines-2026-budget-trade-offs-recommends-fee-increases-and-pool-rotation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454425-b0ad93051ef7ca8af836afdaa0edc2a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1774788954&Signature=Ij0YvzMBXLO~P6bb4KnGeXNQuqbIBXW0PuSuXD3Aa7RQOM6r2~EfFweq-kJFdL0TXI1LPe4MITKeRHkpvrfb-8Fy54iRRX21m0X58x9crMmSUWHSNx9R8YTeeWsXbpglV~lmiqHLtCl2TA-78hF8-v6dExZEHEV3ik5gkUnQYSaJ6zPB3dPCWiEt64zmqC9PnzsC7UKfsi55ZnKuEpqO-mqoxmPg~9FwLYsdwosbZcAdd-PAk8ZKFspLRB5csmzuK9MhEt0ZSBu7u7DH201VFBeAy88SLUTbS0PCT58QhIzvbAT36EOhaMD-7PvsC9j0QtbbhnxeSQEr5hrinNFBYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wausau, WI","date","2025-09-30T00:10:49Z","article","Jamie, Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director, told the finance committee on Sept. 30 that the parks department’s 2026 budget is shaped largely by county decisions on wages and indirect-cost allocations and by the department’s new asset-management software costs. The department recommended a 7.5% across-the-board fee increase and a set of targeted reductions intended to preserve core services while meeting a required $149,000 cut.

The parks director said the county’s compensation “true up” and a reallocation of county HR and finance indirect costs increased the city-side wage obligation. Parks managers spread full-time wage charges among several funds (city, county, forestry and the Sports Complex) based on each employee’s percentage allocation. The department also cited a recurring cost for Cartograph, an asset-management system shared between city and county, which is split 50/50.

To offset higher wages, the department proposed a 7.5% fee schedule increase; the fees were reviewed by the joint Park Commission and are included in the draft budget. Proposed expenditure reductions in the parks budget that were presented to the committee as included in the recommended 2026 budget are: rotating which pools are open so only two of three pools operate each day (estimated $30,000 reduction), leaving an unfunded 50% administration position (roughly $44,000), removing eight park dumpsters ($3,900), and trimming the small projects fund by $29,000. The parks director said those reductions were designed to limit effects on staff and core services, but some deferred maintenance risk remains.

A number of potential additional cuts were discussed but not included as adopted reductions, including not installing life piers at River Life, deferring River Life and 400 Block fountain operations (estimated savings of about $17,000 and $20,000, respectively), and proposing a future urban-forest fee. Alder Watson and Alder Tierney both pressed to explore alternatives to preserve the third pool and keep it open; Watson specifically asked whether the proposed $30,000 pool saving had been adopted and was told the budget as recommended included the pool rotation (that measure is in the budget as a reduction). Committee members also asked whether Memorial Park reconstruction would restrict pool access; the parks director said coordination with user groups would minimize disruptions and short closures would be rotated with other pools.

The director said the department had already looked line-by-line for savings — reducing some utilities and supply estimates after overbudgeting last year — and emphasized that most of the budget pressure was wage-driven and offset in part by the fee increases.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wausau Finance Committee Meeting - 9/30/25","oneSentenceSummary","Parks staff presented a cost-to-continue 2026 budget that relies on a county wage adjustment, a 7.5% fee increase and service cuts including rotating pool openings and removing dumpsters to meet a $149,000 reduction target.","taxTitle","Wausau, Marathon County, Wisconsin","taxId",4562,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6454411,"Public works outlines 2026 operating cuts, capital deferrals and advancing a proposed solar project",1500,3600000,5100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860857-1ad0c857a1d9c77bf9be1befc2753c32&start=3600&end=5100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860857-1ad0c857a1d9c77bf9be1befc2753c32/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6454411/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Public-works-outlines-2026-operating-cuts-capital-deferrals-and-advancing-a-proposed-solar-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454411-6f45cd1533fbd917173764690fc6094b/orig.mp4?Expires=1774788954&Signature=eSHhBftbZ3yCiVG6hO63MVtbUdOLs-x~HxNICGIB1IZ9f~K2P-QJFsALQ000XKPmhfw-YQSXxQtG1URmps7iFOpfyhmA3Cq9O5vFce0rl8Pd1xulofYrLymsjBPO6szNJchZkvmewvNn6FLNcOotdzKliO69zWOVlT-fUfct~p068f7hUilCiHPPcDT8ztSPTSR2V647RK4298vcwjGhssjJXyeHs393FZZrFmxiSwFuabsskeBSLXsaR9e7n2I8UzccOnt~u90YrpnwnSFgWeodo~7JmGu4bD~lRd7C-LzaCkOuHXubFrYB~q~2WyFqxZyAWGdZyDrIASVULdLCZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Public Works and Utilities presented an overview of operating reductions, staff vacancies and capital changes for 2026. The department said water and wastewater operate in enterprise funds and were largely self-funded; five levy-supported divisions (streets/maintenance, engineering, GIS, inspections/zoning and motor pool) were reviewed for possible cuts.

Public Works staff said non-street and storm positions and contracted services were trimmed where feasible, maintenance supplies were reduced by about $5,000, and a vacant surveyor position is proposed to remain unfilled for half of 2026. The motor-pool fuel budget was reduced by roughly $70,000 based on a new fuel contract and expectations about fuel usage. Streets and storm budgets were trimmed by reducing planned purchases of materials where inventories should cover next year’s anticipated needs.

On capital, the department proposed a lower-cost repair to 20th/Eighth Avenue — a mill-and-overlay rather than full reconstruction — to address damage and avoid an immediate $1.8 million reconstruction, while noting the repair is not a permanent fix and a full reconstruction may return to capital lists later. Staff said the repair would also preserve the option to apply for state STP urban funds or LRIP for a future full reconstruction.

Public Works briefed the committee on a proposed municipal solar project estimated at $2.5 million total. Staff said to maximize federal tax credits and competitive grant opportunities, the city should commence project design and bidding in 2026 and ideally begin construction before July 2026 (or meet federal commence-construction rules) because certain tax-credit and Buy-American-related requirements affect eligibility. The department has applied for an EPA grant of $1,180,000 for the project; if awarded along with minimum federal tax credits (30%), the city’s borrow requirement would be reduced. Committee members asked staff to bring more detailed financing scenarios and a timeline for design and construction given grant and tax-credit deadlines.","Public Works proposed operating reductions and limited capital deferrals to balance the 2026 levy-supported budget and briefed the committee on a proposed $2.5 million community solar project that could leverage tax credits and an EPA grant; staff recommended starting design work in 2026 to meet tax-credit timing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6454416,"Wausau fire chief outlines cuts and warns SAFER grant expiration could force longer-term choices",2062,1358000,3420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860857-1ad0c857a1d9c77bf9be1befc2753c32&start=1358&end=3420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860857-1ad0c857a1d9c77bf9be1befc2753c32/thumbnail_1358000.jpg","/articles/6454416/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-fire-chief-outlines-cuts-and-warns-SAFER-grant-expiration-could-force-longer-term-choices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454416-44b63815bfcda51dbd71103e0a70a476/orig.mp4?Expires=1774788954&Signature=RWQG7SanFUkZoXn~ARHZGc06KcVq6XgmxGPG2n09Qu1ko-fJxZW1ji08ydaOmmITbVmYbO4Cp7XeRXRNbnY3Y5wdqfQ6EO-siXTrW~MGTnVyFb-5E7PB~hE2iuYtgen~CECpj6BzrJhTjYrF3c9rkv~QIxGmlkcKjPbKynYm-gjLZ-scCscBR6052-MBidCnVEmvA4~X2b0LSyvuPHSIhc3gWwuT9QInLNO~kpDorrH61vZ5By~d43Ka6wq32hftQAJEuCJPq44C6IOz3qI~W-vfRdgUcfBOnBMMn0rSwl63bkZ60fKIEWuuSD5FYbT5KZzd3b2UCptxXl5SPtbnfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The fire chief reported to the finance committee that the fire department proposed several reductions for 2026 intended to meet the committee’s savings targets while maintaining minimum operational capacity. Among the measures: holding one division chief position vacant through 2026, reducing lawn-mowing and other maintenance line items, cutting training and inspection budgets, deferring one ambulance purchase, and delaying some equipment replacement cycles.

The department also reported a revenue strategy tied to EMS-billing adjustments. The chief said an updated billing approach — adjusted after consulting the billing vendor — is projected to generate roughly $120,000 in additional annual revenue based on call volume and current collections.

The fire chief emphasized the looming budget cliff after FEMA’s SAFER grant expires: SAFER funded nine firefighter positions (three additional were funded with ARPA), and the grant window for obligated SAFER funds runs through Feb. 2026. The department and finance staff discussed applying for an extension from FEMA; staff said they opened the extension process and expected to pursue it but could not rely on an extension for budget planning.

Finance staff and the fire chief summarized a longer-term gap: once one-time revenue sources and ARPA interest are exhausted, the city would face an ongoing gap to continue the grant-funded public-safety positions in 2027. Staff described options that include a referendum to exceed levy limits (a process that requires council action and a January 2026 deadline to get on an April ballot) and added that staff will continue to seek federal and state grants.

Committee members asked whether the department could defer buying the aerial ladder further and discussed grant prospects; the chief said procurement lead times are long and that he has applied for FEMA grant funding and other equipment grants but that any delay carries operational risk. No final decision on a referendum or levy increase was made in the session; staff flagged the need for a council-level policy decision if long-term funding is required.","Fire department outlined one-time and ongoing reductions for 2026 and said nine SAFER-funded firefighter positions end Feb. 2026; city staff and the chief flagged possible future referendum or grant-extension options for 2027 funding.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6454420,"Wausau police propose cuts and urge council to consider using animal-control reserve to restore hours",1385,1465000,2850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860857-1ad0c857a1d9c77bf9be1befc2753c32&start=1465&end=2850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860857-1ad0c857a1d9c77bf9be1befc2753c32/thumbnail_1465000.jpg","/articles/6454420/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/Wausau-police-propose-cuts-and-urge-council-to-consider-using-animal-control-reserve-to-restore-hours","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454420-168d5dd29d72115556ac4a2f15601921/orig.mp4?Expires=1774788954&Signature=j89NNA5uxL6XNHtW32nwSwj8VPjVxsGLvM1RC5T5q1Gp8eTuDOqd~e9Tg2ezOehVZwubaAZIeoUGm5xjBCuIX5tkGTEpmVQqjtlit539YgkkBEAYsuL1zIZhP-F8GEOQicA0b3j4sJVYPLDGh2P8NJrGaNeNFytCJKjbwdTMw8Ekt1r0Kq8cWDjLDOFa6Gqg59OPLX46lDmZIsKuJUE-9bHZu1TJvalrpP2bofYIknjsciGGrbBhi-k8tI10Ev6opzkkDGKM2Rrl-TKGhjPYuzpvde8YtIW~g8hmQaobWJKWvu--E~4gNrNe2I5MDGJyhT5fX9kwM4odlHA5Jr7LlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Barnes, Police Chief, told the finance committee the department faced a constrained budget and state/local limits that prevent cutting sworn staffing without penalty. The department worked with its leadership team and the union to identify reductions that would reduce expenditure without degrading basic public safety, producing a cost-to-continue budget that preserves core services while trimming several non-sworn areas.

Among the reductions the department offered were reduced hours for CSO (civil service/animal-control) positions, capping the non-dog-stray (cat) contract at 150 cats per year (down from a previously budgeted 200), deferring a radio replacement cycle for one year (about $50,000 normally), eliminating a $4,500 software subscription (Guardian Tracking), and drawing down a multi‑year supply of ammunition (a one-time deferral). The department said it budgeted $20,000 for animal-control hours in 2026, a sizable reduction from staffing levels that had supported a 60-hours-per-week animal-control model.

Alderman McElhinney and other committee members expressed disappointment, saying the reduction reverses promises made to constituents when the humane officer model changed and that community expectations had been raised. Several alderpersons pushed staff and the chief to revisit the possibility of using the animal-control fund’s reserves — which Mary Anne said held about $119,785 at the end of 2024 — to restore hours. Chief Barnes said the fund’s reserve could be used and that if the council prioritized restoring hours, staff could recommend using non-levy reserve funds rather than general levy dollars; he estimated to fund 60 hours per week on average would require approximately $80,000 and that the current recommended budget holds about $20,000 for 2026 (the difference to fully restore the model would be roughly $60,000).

Alder Tierney noted the police department’s CSO twos had recently completed humane-officer training, and both Chief Barnes and Mary Anne said those trained staff could carry out expanded animal-control work if budgeted hours were restored. The chief also noted the department would adjust officer duties to cover stray-animal calls if the CSO hours were reduced, and he said that would be consistent with past practices when explicit animal-control staffing was not in place.

Committee members asked staff to report back with options for using the animal-control fund reserves and the financial implications for levy and expenditure-restraint calculations.","Police presented a cost-to-continue 2026 budget that reduces non-sworn animal-control hours and other line items; council members asked whether animal-control reserve funds could restore hours after earlier promises to the community.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6454406,"City-County IT warns 2026 budget is bare minimum, asks council to fund cybersecurity data-tagging tool",570,5160000,5730000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860857-1ad0c857a1d9c77bf9be1befc2753c32&start=5160&end=5730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860857-1ad0c857a1d9c77bf9be1befc2753c32/thumbnail_5160000.jpg","/articles/6454406/Wausau/Marathon-County/Wisconsin/City-County-IT-warns-2026-budget-is-bare-minimum-asks-council-to-fund-cybersecurity-data-tagging-tool","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454406-f5996129ad098599377a1321d802cb4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1774788954&Signature=W7AB7L2yBnmbclkmhhmfKk-rjj50JLFGGhvEhCHOpB7Xl0ZO7Hme7cYhnjnsQdSQdgtMF8nn7HLkIPdHst-tapHyu3k2MYHeqA9KwHIacUxyzIkQj5dlotjIIgLXfrA1Po4VD~tvgYaj93q5VYEgRc4P70sbY4hIhYsqY-JIlSJPGEbenWlu9wiXiWqUEqlyyiSOzPecOSqayMEiFbbhJaLAJO5tUUWyp5gtQzP8qr1fUEMqqPjxlOTD24gjwSL5bzQjrSfdJrNIBiJXURBDgfH4T8HHrUfadrNfG4lXhb-SOPSHHHzl-tyssos5XxirenW~x7smSdwJtL2fk8xdjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City-County Information Technology (CCIT) representative briefed the finance committee that CCIT’s 2026 budget was reduced by approximately $150,000 but that the cuts leave the operation at a “bare minimum” with little contingency for unforeseen emergencies or software‑licensing increases. The presenter said CCIT supports 14 city locations on fiber, runs a large server footprint and maintains significant cybersecurity and camera/squad-car systems that require ongoing investment.

Key upward pressures cited were a projected 9.5% increase in health-insurance costs, modest increases in WRS contributions, and a county compensation-study result that showed many IT staff were below market; CCIT implemented a 3% increase in 2025 and will need further adjustments in 2026 to align salaries. CCIT said it cut contracting, training and contingency lines but warned license renewals for core virtualization and storage platforms (examples cited: VMware/Broadcom and Nutanix) could produce material price increases in 2026.

CCIT requested that the council consider funding a data-discovery/tagging platform (total project roughly $100,000) to replace a limited Microsoft tool. CCIT proposed the city’s share be about $32,472; the county and North Central Healthcare would be asked to share the remainder. The tool would run a data discovery across city systems, tag sensitive information (PHI, PII, CJIS) and apply controls to reduce the risk of data theft or inadvertent data exposure. CCIT said delaying the purchase leaves the city exposed to higher risk and escalating license costs.

The committee asked CCIT to pursue funding discussions with the county and North Central Healthcare and to come back with a cross-jurisdictional funding plan; CCIT cautioned that if the city does not approve its share, the overall project would not proceed as proposed.","City-County IT presented a tightly pared 2026 budget and requested council consideration for a $32,472 share of a proposed data-discovery and tagging tool to improve data-loss prevention and compliance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Wausau parks director outlines 2026 budget trade-offs, recommends fee increases and pool rotation

Public works outlines 2026 operating cuts, capital deferrals and advancing a proposed solar project

Wausau fire chief outlines cuts and warns SAFER grant expiration could force longer-term choices

Wausau police propose cuts and urge council to consider using animal-control reserve to restore hours

City-County IT warns 2026 budget is bare minimum, asks council to fund cybersecurity data-tagging tool