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Transit staff reports $4,702.15 cost to run Hmong Festival shuttle; Title VI cited as reason to continue service
Summary
City transit staff told the Wausau Transit Commission the department spent $4,702.15 on overtime and operations to provide shuttle service for the 2025 Hmong Festival and said Title VI obligations may support continuing the service, though commissioners took no formal action.
Ron, a transit staff member, told the Wausau Transit Commission the city provided shuttle service for the 2025 Hmong Festival and that the direct operating expense for the two-day event totaled $4,702.15. He said, "So we had 404,289 passengers that we hold over those 2 days, but I didn't know what the cost. I just wanted to make sure everybody was aware what it cost us to provide that for the Hmong festival. And that's just basic, cost $4,702.15 with the overtime and everything, that we provide, which is a pretty big expense."
Ron said he reviewed the commission's Title VI policy and concluded the service helped the city meet obligations related to serving the Hmong population. He told commissioners that, on one hand, the cost raised questions about continuing the shuttle; on the other hand, Title VI considerations "might be our best interest to keep going."
Another commissioner said the transit department should have brought the decision about Metro Ride providing the shuttle to the commission for approval before the event. Transit staff acknowledged that the decision had not been presented in advance and apologized for the oversight. The staff account also said the Hmong Association did not receive timely notice to arrange service through Metro Ride.
No motion or formal vote was recorded on the festival service. Commissioners did not adopt a directive or set a follow-up at the meeting; the item was handled as an informational update.
The discussion included two points commissioners said they wanted clarified for future events: documentation of the full cost to the transit system (including overtime) and whether Title VI obligations create a continuing requirement to offer similar event service. Transit staff did not provide a definitive legal interpretation at the meeting and said further review of policy would be needed.
The commission moved on to other agenda items without taking formal action on the Hmong Festival shuttle.
