Wausau committee clears April property-tax referendum to fund firefighters
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Summary
The Wausau Finance Committee approved placing a $1.45 million property-tax referendum on the April ballot to help retain firefighter/paramedic staffing after expiring federal grants; staff cited a 3.956% levy increase (about $39.39 per $100,000 of assessed value) and recommended outreach and explanatory materials before the vote.
The Wausau Finance Committee on Jan. 13 approved a resolution sending a property-tax referendum to the April ballot seeking $1,450,000 to support firefighter/paramedic staffing after federal grant funding expires.
City staff presented two draft resolutions — a $1,450,000 option and a lower $1,025,000 alternative — and described the state Department of Revenue's guidance on ballot language. Mary Anne, a city staff member responsible for the worksheet and DOR review, said the DOR advised omitting a specific number of positions from the ballot so the city would retain flexibility if staffing needs change. "The DOR's feedback was don't even put the number of positions in there," Mary Anne said, noting that including a number could legally require the city to fund that exact count if voters approve the measure.
The committee discussed tradeoffs between transparency and flexibility. Chief Kupp said transparency about what taxpayers would fund is important, arguing the proposal should reference firefighter-paramedics rather than firefighters alone. Several alderpersons pressed staff on the fiscal impact. Committee members were told staff estimates a 3.956% levy increase and cited an example of $39.39 per $100,000 of assessed value. The chair noted that for an average $160,000 home the aggregate change would be modest compared with current services, while stressing outreach would be needed to explain details to voters.
The committee also discussed use of savings from the recently closed TID No. 7 as an alternative funding source, but several members warned that relying on TID roll-in could shift future property-tax burdens to residents. Mary Anne and others said such decisions would influence the amount needed in the referendum and the city's budget flexibility.
With no further debate the committee voted to place the $1.45 million referendum on the April ballot and directed staff to submit final language to the clerk by the Jan. 26 deadline and to develop voter-facing materials and public meetings explaining the measure. The measure will appear on the April 7 election, as confirmed during the meeting.
What happens next: The city clerk must receive final ballot language by Jan. 26 for the April election, and staff said the city plans community outreach and informational mailings ahead of the vote.
