MARSHFIELD, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – Marshfield’s Finance, Budget and Personnel committee heard a proposal to require COVID-19 vaccines for certain city employees Tuesday night. “We want to at least be prepared,” Human Resources Director Jen Rachu said.
The proposal was rejected, 4-1.
Part of the intention was to plan ahead, citing potential changes coming down from the federal government concerning vaccine requirements.
“We don’t know exactly how soon we’re going to get a decision from that but with the state of COVID, I think people are hopeful that there will be a decision from the Supreme Court soon,” Rachu said. That decision is regarding the “Emergency Temporary Standard,” where private companies with more than 100 employees would require employees to submit proof of vaccination. It would not have affected a public employer like the city of Marshfield.
Several committee members did not feel the timing was right to make this type of change. “I think that this is such a hot topic that unless we have to, unless we have to implement something because somebody higher up says we have to, I don’t even want to touch this,” committee member Tom Witzel said.
Under the proposal, employees would have submitted proof of vaccination voluntarily, with no penalties for those who would choose not to comply. Employees from the police department, fire department, and public library would have been exempt, which created division.
No further action is expected, although the issue may be revised at the next committee meeting in February.
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