Wausau Transit Commission members voted unanimously Oct. 16 to submit an updated Title VI plan to the Federal Transit Administration, approve a no-cost extension of an existing SRF contract so staff can issue a request for proposals for a vehicle-technology upgrade, and proceed with a feasibility-study RFP after securing a grant extension from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

The Title VI plan was described by staff as an administrative update: dates and statistical tables were revised, and the metropolitan planning organization updated the statistics, but staff said there were no policy changes. "If you see in the packet, it is the Title VI plan. It was due by the FTA in April 2025, and it was not prepared," said Ron (transit staff). Commissioner Zorn moved to accept the Title VI plan; Commissioner Hope seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Commissioners also approved an extension of an existing SRF contract so the city can issue an RFP for a planned technology upgrade for buses. Staff said the extension carries no additional cost under the current contract terms but does provide more time to prepare and issue the RFP. Chair McElhinney said the delay had been disappointing given that the project is funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars and that staff had worked to close loose ends so the RFP can move forward. Commissioner Zorn moved to submit the contract extension for the technology upgrade; Commissioner Hope seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Finally, the commission authorized staff to reissue a feasibility-study RFP after WisDOT agreed to extend the grant. According to staff, WisDOT found the prior RFP to be deficient, requiring the city to start the procurement over. "We have the grant extension, through the end of the year, of 2026 so that we can, redo the RFP," Ron said. Staff asked the commission for permission to proceed; commissioners voiced support and a motion to move forward carried unanimously. Staff said the WisDOT grant covers 100% of the feasibility-study cost and requires no city contribution.

Commission discussion of the feasibility study noted the study’s likely scope: assessing whether the current facility could be upgraded for future expansion or if relocation would be required, and examining electrical upgrades to support the possibility of electric buses in the long term. Staff cautioned that procuring electric buses would be a separate, much later decision tied to fleet replacement cycles; staff said current buses have a roughly 12-year lifespan.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes (08/21/2025): Motion by Commissioner Hope; second by Commissioner Lukins; outcome: approved unanimously.
- Acceptance and submission of Title VI plan to FTA: Motion by Commissioner Zorn; second by Commissioner Hope; outcome: approved unanimously.
- SRF contract extension to allow RFP for technology upgrade: Motion by Commissioner Zorn; second by Commissioner Hope; outcome: approved unanimously. Staff said the extension involves no additional contract dollars.
- Authorization to reissue feasibility-study RFP (WisDOT grant extension): Mover/second not specified in the record; outcome: approved unanimously. Staff said the WisDOT grant covers 100% of the study cost.

What the decisions mean
The Title VI plan is a federal transit nondiscrimination reporting requirement overseen by the Federal Transit Administration and must be current for continued federal compliance. The SRF contract extension clears an administrative hurdle so the city can solicit bids for technology the commission expects to have installed by 2026. The feasibility study — funded entirely by a WisDOT grant, according to staff — will evaluate the transit facility’s capacity for expansion and for future electric-bus infrastructure, though any purchase of electric buses would be a separate process tied to fleet replacement schedules.

Provenance: portions of this article draw on the meeting record where the Title VI plan, SRF contract extension, and feasibility study were introduced and finalized in motions and votes.