Wausau City Council Rules Review Committee Meeting - 8/24/26

The City of Wausau City Council Rules Review Committee convened on August 24, 2026, to discuss potential amendments to the rules governing the appointment and selection of members and chairs for standing committees, subcommittees, and citizen committees. The committee reviewed existing rules, particularly Rule 13, which currently grants the mayor authority to appoint members to standing committees and chairs to subcommittees. A key motion passed amended Rule 13D to require that subcommittee and special committee chairs be elected by majority vote of their members at the start of the committee's term, rather than appointed by the committee chairperson. The discussion also clarified distinctions between committees and commissions, noting that commissions such as the Police and Fire Commission are governed by state statute and outside the scope of this committee's rule changes. The committee acknowledged limitations in amending rules related to citizen appointments governed by separate ordinances and decided to adjourn after concluding that further changes would require broader council action. No specific procurement, contracting, or budget matters were addressed during this meeting.