Wausau Finance Committee Meeting- 10/27/26

The City of Wausau Finance Committee met on October 27, 2026. It received the 2025 financial and single audit from Malden and Jenkins, which reported clean, unmodified opinions and one significant deficiency involving documentation of federal suspension-and-debarment checks. The auditor also recommended documenting key processes and cross-training staff to reduce reliance on a small number of employees. The committee approved the $15,920 FY2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant and interlocal agreement with Marathon County; the city’s share has historically supported equipment and technology for the regional forensic lab. It also approved a $650,000 tax increment grant payment to Gorman and Company for the 415 South 1st Avenue/Westside Commons project, after the developer met agreement milestones, and authorized preparation of a Tax Increment District 8 project-plan amendment for infrastructure costs, including lead-service-line work and 17th Avenue reconstruction and overlay.

The committee approved a 3% increase to Downtown Airport T-hangar lease rates beginning January 1, 2027, and a multi-year budget amendment to track the previously approved federal grant for the Fire Department apprentice program; staff said the amendment was for accounting and monitoring, with grant funds expected to cover program costs. A sole-source request to purchase ZOLL monitors and ventilators was postponed to the next Finance Committee meeting because the relevant staff member was absent. The cemetery agreement was also postponed pending old agreement documents and cost estimates for requested tree removals and stump grinding, including consideration of liability and whether city crews or an outside contractor should perform the work. Year-end budget modifications and the general fund reserves policy were pulled for a later meeting.