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Wausau police outline cuts to animal control and CSO hours; councilors discuss using reserve to restore service
Summary
Police Chief presented a 2026 reductions package that trims community service officer (CSO) hours and caps contracted non‑dog stray intake at 150 cats annually; alderpersons asked whether the animal control fund surplus could restore hours to earlier levels
Wausau Police Chief (Chief Barnes) presented a series of proposed reductions for the department’s 2026 budget to the Finance Committee on Sept. 30 that include cuts to civilian animal control staffing and other administrative expenses intended to meet the committee’s target without reducing core sworn staffing.
Barnes said the department had limited options because ‘maintenance of effort’ limits make sworn headcount difficult to reduce, so staff focused on non‑sworn cuts and deferrals. Among the changes: a reduction in budgeted Community Service Officer (CSO) hours (a planned 75% reduction from the…
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