Wausau Finance Committee delays vote on new HR position, asks for fiscal impact

The City of Wausau Finance Committee on June 21 debated a request to add an additional Human Resources staff member after HR Director Mary Ann Noack told the panel the department is overwhelmed and operational tasks are going unchecked.

Noack said the department has “a long list of things that need to get done” and urged the committee not to wait six more months to begin hiring, saying “we need the help and we need it yesterday.” She told alderpersons the position would likely be graded between 19 and 20, with an annual salary range she estimated roughly between $40,000 and $60,000.

The committee discussed interim and shared staffing options. Alder Tierney asked whether the HR team will take on hiring duties for crossing guards; Noack confirmed the department will now oversee that hiring and said the Wausau Police Department has allocated some funding to help. Alderwoman Neil pressed whether an administrative assistant elsewhere in city government could cover the work, and Noack said HR duties require specialized knowledge, confidentiality and partnership with legal, so a coordinator-level hire would be preferable.

Alder Neil moved to approve the full-time position; Alder Tierney seconded. Finance staff and the committee noted, however, that the committee cannot authorize a funded position without a budget modification. Mary Ann Noack and finance staff agreed to prepare a fiscal-impact statement and identify a financing source. Alder Neil rescinded the motion and, by consensus, the committee agreed to bring the item back at the next Finance Committee meeting with documented fiscal impact and a proposed funding source.

The committee emphasized that any ongoing cost would need to be included in the 2027 budget cycle. No vote was taken on the position; action was postponed pending the requested fiscal details and a formal budget modification.