Wausau City council Meeting - 10/13/26

The Wausau Common Council meeting on October 13, 2026, approved a Wisco/Cubic fare-collection system contract for MetroRide, 11–0. The initial installation is grant-funded, with grant support expected to cover some operating costs; staff described an estimated ongoing cost of about $24,000 annually plus roughly 3.5 cents per electronic-fare transaction. Riders will retain a cash-payment option, and the system will support mobile or card payments and real-time bus-location information. The council also approved, 11–0, a budget modification for the 700 Grand Avenue development agreement and tax increment grant after staff confirmed the project had met its development-cost requirements and received occupancy approval; the city’s payment is 90% of the applicable amount, with the remaining 10% due after permanent financing. Separately, the council approved, 11–0, a funding option for private-side lead service-line replacements under which the city will cover the remaining funding gap. Staff estimated a roughly $4.5 million gap for the 2027 scope, with approximately $4.2 million already budgeted pending final grant awards and construction bids. The related lead-service-line ordinance passed 10–1.

The council rejected, 0–11, a proposed drinking-water treatment plant solar array after the project did not receive an anticipated EPA grant; discussion cited a nearly 20-year payback if city borrowing were required and an estimated 25–30-year panel life. A $50,000 feasibility study for converting the UW-Stevens Point at Wausau campus for police and fire facilities passed 9–2, and a planning and due-diligence option with Marathon County passed 9–1, with one abstention. Public commenters urged the council not to renew the Flock license-plate camera contract and raised privacy and budget concerns, but no Flock contract or budget action was recorded. The council also approved an amendment to the winter street-maintenance policy allowing counterflow plowing when safe; no new procurement was identified in that item.