The City of Wausau’s finance committee on Nov. 25 approved a change to the procurement policy to require the committee or council to review certain capital projects and established a $50,000 threshold as a one‑year pilot.

Staff said the change responds to concerns about transparency in project scoping and timing. The proposed approach would bring lists of capital projects forward during the capital project process in May or June so committee members can see and comment earlier in the year.

City staff suggested higher thresholds could be considered (one staff member suggested $250,000), but multiple alderpersons said starting at a lower threshold is prudent so the policy can be tested and adjusted. "I'd rather be on the side of caution," one alder said, and follow‑up language allows the committee to increase the threshold if the pilot proves onerous.

A motion to adopt the addition to the procurement policy and to set the threshold at $50,000 passed by voice vote (motion recorded from Cooney; second from Griner). Staff said they will bring lists of projects and a recommended presentation format for committee feedback in the early capital project cycle.