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Wausau committee approves reclassification of selected assessment department positions; one no recorded
Summary
The finance committee approved reclassifying several jobs in the City of Wausau assessment department with retroactive pay to Jan. 1, 2025; committee discussion highlighted external comparators, internal equity and possible future third-party compensation studies.
The Wausau Finance Committee on June 24 approved a reclassification of selected positions in the city assessment department, with pay adjustments made retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025.
City staff said the change had previously passed through the HR committee and involves salary adjustments designed to align assessment office job classifications with comparable roles. The packet included a comparator table listing municipalities such as Madison, Village of Pleasant Prairie, Janesville and others; committee members noted comparator cities vary in cost of living and that a broader compensation study would be more meaningful for long-term comparisons.
The HR director and staff told the committee they considered internal equity when recommending step increases and that some of the fiscal impact is offset by salary savings from an open role. Peggy (staff) presented a cost-savings summary indicating the reclassification implicates $54,006.62 but that salary savings from the vacancy reduce the net budget impact by $45,006.26 embedded in the 2025 budget; staff said the 2026 budget implications remain to be evaluated.
Alder Henke raised concerns about perceived conflicts because of personal relationships in the assessment office and recommended future use of a third-party consultant for pay studies; Alder Tierney said she supported that idea and would draft a policy.
A motion to approve the reclassification was made by Alder Tierney and seconded by Alder Henke. Committee members voted in favor; the chair announced the motion passed and recorded a single “no” vote noted in the minutes (the chair said “No. 1 no. Recorded by Alder Gisselman”).
The committee approved retroactive pay to Jan. 1, 2025. Staff said the measure will be reflected in the 2025 payroll and that 2026 budget implications will be reviewed.
