Wausau finance committee amends 2026 budget: room tax shift, solar project, officers funded; Eighth Avenue reconstruction fails

The Wausau Finance Committee on Oct. 28 amended the proposed 2026 budget to move several seasonal park expenses to room tax, approve borrowing for a municipal solar array, reallocate animal control surplus to fund two community service officer positions, and use one-time economic development funds to cover a shortfall for downtown officers. A separate proposal to borrow $1.8 million to fully reconstruct 20 Eighth Avenue failed.

The committee moved the flower-basket maintenance and the Riverlife pier installation costs out of the park levy and into the city's room-tax discretionary funds, a change supporters said would preserve daily pool operations. "That would be the discretionary," said Mary Anne (staff member), describing which portion of room tax would be available for those items. Alder Henke made the motion to transfer the piers and flower baskets to room-tax funding; Alder Watson seconded it, and members approved the amendment.

Why it matters: shifting the pier and flower-basket costs to room tax reduces pressure on the levy and was presented as a way to maintain three seasonal pools daily during 2026. Committee discussion noted the pools already operate on a day-rotation closure that began in 2020 and that fully reopening every day would cost an estimated $30,000 in a season of perfect weather and full staffing.

Major committee actions and context

- Pools, piers and flower baskets: Committee members discussed the city's longstanding practice of rotating closures among the three pools to allow swim lessons and reduce staffing conflicts. Staff said roughly $30,000 would be needed to keep all three pools open every day in a perfect summer. Committee members proposed paying for the flower baskets (just under $16,000) and the Riverlife pier work (about $6,900) from discretionary room-tax dollars because the River Edge Trail and downtown beautification are tourism drivers; the same funds feed quarterly tourism grants. Alder Henke moved the amendment to transfer those items to room-tax funding, Alder Watson seconded, and the committee approved the motion.

- Animal control surplus to two community service officers: Alder Watson moved to reallocate up to $60,000 from the animal control fund surplus to pay for two Community Service Officer (CSO) Level 2 positions focused on humane enforcement and animal welfare services. Alder McElaney seconded; members approved the motion.

- 20 Eighth Avenue reconstruction (failed): Alder Henke moved to add $1.8 million in borrowing to fully reconstruct 20 Eighth Avenue (a scope the infrastructure committee had previously recommended). The motion was seconded but failed on a 2-3 voice outcome after lengthy discussion about debt capacity, grant timing and whether a $175,000 overlay would be a short-term repair while pursuing state grants (STP urban, LRIP) and other funding in future years. City staff noted the full reconstruction would increase annual debt service by an estimated $190,000 per year for 10 years if issued at sample rates; members expressed concern about growing debt service over the next five years.

- Solar array borrowing approved: The committee approved a motion to add $2.5 million in borrowing for a solar array at the water-treatment plant, with a plan to apply any grants and tax credits toward retiring the debt. Committee members emphasized possible federal tax credits and grants could substantially lower the city's net cost; staff said the project team expects a 30% federal tax credit is likely and that grant decisions would arrive in spring. The motion carried unanimously.

- One-time economic development funds for downtown officers; park study cut: Alder Watson moved to strike a $45,000 park consulting study from capital/project funds and to transfer $86,502 from the economic development fund as a one-time allocation to cover the downtown officer program shortfall for 2026. The committee approved the amendment. Supporters said the downtown officers support local businesses and visitor confidence; others asked for future review of ongoing funding needs after the Bridge Street Mission shelter opens and district patterns shift.

Procedural note: The Finance Committee forwarded the budget as amended to the Common Council for final consideration. The public hearing on the budget was scheduled for Oct. 28 in the local notice, and the council is set to consider final approval on Nov. 11.

What the committee did not decide: the committee discussed possible revenue and fee changes (including a possible $10 large-item drop-off fee) and flagged several funding options — STP urban funds, LRIP, EPA grants, ARPA reserves and federal tax credits — but did not adopt those as firm revenue assumptions. Committee members also debated timing risks (some grants and tax-credit windows) and whether the city should delay large capital borrowing to pursue grant funding at the cost of potentially higher construction prices later.

Ending: The committee voted to forward the amended budget to the Common Council and adjourned after approving the package of amendments.