Despite the Rumors, Wausau Mayor Says There’s No Appetite for Another Water Rate Case Study and Possible Increase

Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 -- 10:00 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg says, in no uncertain terms, there is no appetite for another water rate case study and possible increase, an idea that was floated last week, according to Mike Leischner with WSAU.

"If I'm being honest, I have told people, when I'm out and about and they ask me about this, I said 'I would rather light myself on fire then engage in this right now.'"

She says the discussion came from a recent committee meeting where concerns were raised about staffing and wages, something she says is worth looking at through a human resources lens, which may be part of an upcoming joint meeting between the utility and HR committees.

"HR had a crack at some of these jobs, in increases in wages and stuff, but they didn't have a crack at this yet. And that's because they were waiting to have that joint meeting. We need to hear from staff. Who are the gaps that they're seeing?"

"Obviously, we need to hear from. That's why we have Human Resources. That's why we have a Human Resources Committee to kind of analyze that gap or analyze the pay."

She says she understands why the rumor has caught the attention of rate payers that are still processing the current increases. "Even the idea that somebody could think that is alarming to people who are now just getting settled with their current payment and bills."

Water rates in Wausau have gone up significantly in the last few years thanks to equipment upgrades including a new filtration system designed to remove PFAS, giving the city some of the most expensive water in the state.

The city is suing more than 70 known manufacturers of PFAS and their insurance companies to try to recover some of those costs.

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