Wausau Mayor Begins Framework for Zero-Based Budgeting Concept

Monday, August 5th, 2024 -- 8:00 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) Wausau Mayor Doug Diny has put the framework for implementing his zero-based budgeting concept that was promised during last winter’s campaign.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, the move starts with folding the city’s portion of the joint county and city Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department into the city’s Public Works Department.

According to documents obtained by Wausau Pilot and Review, the move could eliminate more than 3 FTE, or Full-Time Equivalent, positions. That would shed up to a half-million dollars without eliminating or reducing services, according to Diny.

He says the moves would focus on creating efficiencies and consolidating duties at the administrative level. “We’re already cutting a lot of grass in the city [on] properties that are not parks-designated. I think there is some synergy there.,” said Diny.

”The front-line workers, the group that will maintain parks will not change. [But] we have redundancies with administrative services. They have a separate finance arm for the parks department and we have a city-wide finance department. We can pull that in.”

Diny tells WSAU News he has had some preliminary discussions with Marathon County Administrator Lance Leonhard about the move. However, the talks are very preliminary and any changes would likely be implemented over several months.

He says if the decision-makers choose to take the discussions further the city may bring on a consultant to help create a smooth transition. “We’ve been doing this [city-county parks department] since 1974,” added Diny. He noted in his proposal that he doesn’t see a significant benefit to the arrangement for Wausau’s taxpayers.

“There is no evidence that the joint parks department between Wausau and Marathon County produces any economies of scale that accrue to the benefit of taxpayers. A few simple equipment-sharing agreements might harvest all the benefit there is to be had from a relationship with Marathon County.”

The proposal is expected to be part of the 2025 budget process, which is in its infancy. Further dialog is expected over the next few months.

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