Wausau council creates temporary shelter lead and advocate posts to cover service gap

The Wausau Common Council on April 8 approved a joint HR and finance resolution (file 25-0420) creating two positions — a shelter lead and a shelter advocate — plus job descriptions, pay scales and related budget modifications. The measure passed by a 10-0 roll-call vote after committee approvals.

Alders and Police Chief Barnes said the positions are intended to fill an anticipated gap in contract shelter services beginning May 1 and to provide nightly shelter capacity through the summer months while the community pursues longer-term strategies. The council record shows HR approved the positions 5-0 and finance approved them 4-0.

Police Chief Barnes told the council the city will rely on community partners and volunteers to operate the temporary shelter and that the police department and HR staff would lead initial implementation. Barnes said the city will call meetings of faith-based groups, past volunteers and service providers in the coming week to coordinate food, volunteers, and on-site services. He said staff submitted a conditional-use permit application as part of the near-term preparations.

Alders who spoke praised the fast work by staff and urged the community to volunteer. Alder Rasmussen said the measure “will fill that void” between May 1 and the winter-season shelter program, and Alder Tierney thanked staff for quickly assembling the plan and asked residents to help.

The resolution was moved by Alder Tierney and seconded by Alder Rasmussen and passed 10-0. Council members described the positions as a temporary measure whose implementation will involve coordination with community partners, volunteers, and other providers.

Provenance: Committee approvals and the police chief’s remarks about volunteer and partner coordination are recorded in the meeting transcript; the council took final action at this session.