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Wausau utility warns of staffing shortfalls; commission asks HR for prioritized review
Summary
Commissioners were told May 6 that staff shortages and turnover at the water and wastewater utilities risk higher costs, potential contracting out of operations and stressed operations at a $60 million treatment facility; the commission requested HR involvement and a pay/retention review.
WAUSAU, Wis. — Commissioners expressed concern May 6 about persistent staffing shortages and turnover at the Wausau Waterworks and wastewater plants and asked the city’s human resources office to prioritize a timely review of pay and retention strategies.
Eric, the utility director, told the commission that the utility recently authorized several new positions in the 2025 budget and is actively recruiting, but that water division vacancies and recent resignations have left much of the operator experience concentrated in a very small group. He said one senior technical staff member now supervises operations at a facility the utility estimates to be worth about $60 million, and the combined experience of the two staff working under that supervisor amounts to "just over a year of technician experience each," leaving a small pool of experienced operators to train newcomers.
Commissioners and staff discussed options including targeted pay adjustments, regular pay studies, internships with technical schools, and the possibility of contracting operations if staffing cannot be stabilized. Commissioners repeatedly cited higher pay offered by neighboring utilities — several employees left for jobs that paid about $5 more per hour — as a major driver of turnover. Staff said exit interviews and previous surveys indicated pay was a top factor in retention.
No formal action was taken at the meeting. The commission asked staff to involve the city’s new HR director and to return with recommendations, options and financial implications for the commission to consider when preparing the 2026 budget.
Commissioners described the issue as a front-burner item given the age and value of utility assets and the specialized skills required to operate treatment facilities.
