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Wausau Waterworks officials warn staffing shortfalls could force costly contracting
Summary
Commissioners and staff told the Wausau Waterworks Commission May 6 that departures and inexperience at water and wastewater operations risk contract outsourcing or higher costs unless pay or staffing changes are made.
Wausau Waterworks Commission members and utility staff told the commission May 6 that turnover and limited on-the-job experience among plant operators have left the utility vulnerable to operational failures and could force the city to contract out plant operations.
Commissioners and staff said the utility has approved several new positions in the 2025 budget and is advertising for them, but recent resignations have left small teams running complex facilities. "We either hire people with experience, pay a little more money, or we have people with less experience who make mistakes, or we have to contract operations," said Eric, Director. "Generally, it costs you a lot more money."
That risk is driven partly by experience levels among current staff. According to the discussion, the most experienced plant staff member moved into a technical role, leaving relatively inexperienced technicians to operate a multi-million-dollar plant. One staff speaker summarized the staffing gap: "He has moved into a technical position... That's our most experienced plant personnel for our staff. The two people that he has working under him have just over a year of technician experience each." Commissioners and staff cited recent hires leaving for higher pay at nearby employers and said exit interviews indicate pay is a common factor.
The commission discussed options including targeted pay adjustments, wage studies and working with the city's new human resources director. Commissioner Robinson urged HR involvement: "Is this something that they can look at?" Staff said they will bring HR into follow-up discussions and consider both short-term and citywide solutions. Several commissioners emphasized that utility staff are the utility's most important asset and that the budget for 2026 should allocate room for any recommended compensation changes.
Discussion items identified as next steps included commissioning a more focused wage analysis, working with the HR director on timely options, and returning recommendations to the commission for budget consideration. No formal action was taken at the meeting; commissioners directed staff to continue work with HR and to return with proposals.
Commissioners set the next Waterworks Commission meeting for June 3, 2025, at 11 a.m. in council chambers.
