WAUSAU, Wis (WSAU) Wausau’s finance and economic development committees met yesterday in the first step towards putting together the 2016 city budget. The process starts with a $2.6-million shortfall.
Several city leaders wanted to reopen the issue of stormwater management. Voters in April overhwelmingly rejected switching those expenses to a fee-based system. Mayor Jim Tipple told the Wausau Daily Herald that through public education he thought voters might reconsider.
Other council members warned that there will need to be structural changes in city government to make up for the deficit. Several councilmen warned of a large property tax increase
The city will have higher personnel costs in 2016, and several grants that helped the city balance its books are set to expire.
The mayor will present his budget proposal in September.
