Wausau City Council Approves Public Safety Referendum for April 7th Ballot

Thursday, January 15th, 2026 -- 8:00 AM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) Wausau voters will consider a $1.4 million public safety referendum to fund additional firefighter and paramedic positions within the city’s fire department.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, alders made the decision after nearly 30 minutes of discussion and debate, with those in favor saying they didn’t want to see the department go backwards after years of investments under multiple Fire Chiefs.

“We have worked so hard to address the long-deferred needs of the fire department. That department is now a destination, a department that engages in training and attracts candidates they never could have ten years ago. In terms of recruitment and retention, they have transformed themselves,” said Council President Lisa Rasmussen.

Alder Aaron Griner said he doesn’t like the idea of asking for more taxpayer money, but putting the issue to a vote is “one of the most democratic ways of dealing with our problems. I think it is time to let the people speak."

“We knew from the get-go that these grants were not around for forever. We should have been planning for this. That being said, you can’t change the past so I hope we take this as a learning experience," added Griner.

The positions in question were funded through FEMA grants and one-time ARPA dollars. Those expire at the end of the year. Finance Director MaryAnne Groat noted that the referendum would increase taxes by about $33 per $100,000 of assessed value. Reducing the ask to just over $1 million would have reduced the amount by about $10.

Alders did not consider a motion to reduce the dollar amount. A motion from Alder Tom Neal to put a 2027 end date on the amendment died for lack of a second. Neal and Terry Kilian were the lone no votes in a 9-2 decision.

Alder Becky McElhaney said asking the full amount was the most practical way forward due to continued inflationary pressures on the city’s budget. “Our [employee] health insurance goes up 6% every year. That’s a big issue.”

The vote came at the end of a nearly three-hour meeting. The question will be presented to voters on the April 7th ballot, alongside other elections, including those for school board, city council, and state Supreme Court seats.

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