Wausau finance committee approves sewer bond, partnership amendment and TID plan changes; moves to closed session

The Wausau Finance Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, voted to authorize a series of municipal actions that officials said will support utility capital work and planned redevelopment projects.

Committee members voted to authorize the issuance and sale of up to $922,476 in sewer system revenue bonds, approved a first amendment to a master partnership agreement with Community Infrastructure Infrastructure Partners, LLC, and approved project-plan amendments for multiple tax increment districts (TID), each with specified exceptions. After those votes the committee approved a motion to move into closed session under Wisconsin law to discuss appraisal and offering-price information for a property along West Wausau Avenue.

Why it matters: The bond and TID amendments are intended to create or preserve funding streams for utility and downtown infrastructure projects included in the 2025 budget. Committee members repeatedly emphasized the trade-offs between tapping TID increment, using utility revenue, and the prospect of future water-rate increases if capital costs are shifted onto ratepayers.

Key votes and formal actions

Votes at a glance

- Minutes of the Jan. 14, 2025, meeting—motion to approve by Alder Gisselman, second by Alder Henke; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Authorization to issue and sell up to $922,476 Sewer System Revenue Bond Series 2025—motion to approve by Alder Gisselman, second by Alder Henke; outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Approval of the first amendment to the master…