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Human Resources Committee approves updated EEO plan to preserve VOCA grant eligibility; language-access question raised
Summary
The Wausau Human Resources Committee unanimously approved an updated equal employment opportunity plan tied to the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant. Alder Tierney asked whether the city has a formal language-access plan; HR staff said translators and interpreters are available on request but did not confirm a separate language-access policy.
The Wausau Human Resources Committee on Feb. 10 unanimously approved an updated equal employment opportunity (EEO) plan intended to maintain the city’s eligibility for a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant that supports the Police Department Victim Resource Unit.
The EEO plan, HR staff told the committee, is a federal requirement tied to grant compliance and will be added to the city employee handbook so departments that receive federal funds must follow its provisions. “The updated EEO plan is a federal requirement that is tied to the compliance with the Victims of Crime Act grant,” a Human Resources staff member said during the meeting.
The plan document notes that the city follows nondiscrimination laws and includes a provision stating that “readers or translators and/or interpreters are available upon request” for individuals with limited English proficiency or visual impairment. Alder Tierney raised a related question during discussion: “Does the city have a language access plan? Because I don't believe that you can comply with nondiscrimination laws without LEP requirements.”
HR staff responded that the plan as drafted addresses language needs in specific cases by offering translation or interpretation on request but that they would check whether a separate, formal language-access plan is on file or required for VOCA compliance. The staff member said they would follow up with the committee on that point.
Committee members also noted the EEO plan was developed through the Police Department as part of federal grant work and that its inclusion in the handbook will bind other departments that accept federal funding. The motion to approve the EEO plan and amend employee handbook section 1.01 passed unanimously.
The committee asked staff to confirm whether a standalone language-access plan exists or is required and report back before finalizing any cross-department implementation steps. The committee took the action to ensure the city retains VOCA funding while clarifying language-access obligations.
Votes at a glance: Motion to approve the EEO plan and amend handbook section 1.01 — moved and seconded in committee; passed unanimously (individual roll-call not specified in the transcript).
