Wausau council weighs referendum to fund 12 firefighters after SAFER grant ends

Wausau’s Committee of the Whole discussed whether to put a referendum on the April 2026 ballot to fund 12 firefighter positions that would otherwise lose grant-supported pay, with staff and outside consultants outlining costs, outreach strategies and timing.

The proposal discussed on Oct. 9 would narrow the referendum ask to fund 12 firefighters and rely on other non‑referendum revenues (including GMT receipts and grant pursuit) to cover additional public-safety and police positions previously listed in the agenda. City staff recommended targeting the April election and hiring Miller Communications to run an educational (non‑advocacy) campaign if council authorizes it.

Why it matters: city officials said the Wausau Fire Department’s call volume has risen sharply in recent years while staffing and statutory standards have not kept pace; without new ongoing levy revenue, staff said some positions may be cut or other municipal services reduced.

Fire Chief Jeremy Cupp described the staffing and workload changes that drove earlier hiring and the department’s dependence on the federal SAFER grant: “Next year we’re gonna run over 7,000 calls,” Cupp said, noting the department once ran…