WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — It’s too soon to tell what property owners in Wausau will be paying to run the city in 2023 but we do know one thing.
The upcoming city budget will be tight.
Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg says she and others have been looking at the numbers for a few weeks now and one pattern that keeps emerging is things will be tight in the new year as inflationary pressure drives up everything from manpower to road work.
“We’re trying to make it all work, but yeah it’s expensive. It’s going to be a tough year,” said Rosenberg. “Our budget will be a little higher, it will look like we are spending more because we have those ARPA funds adding to what we are able to spend. But obviously there are some restrictions [on those.]”
On top of that Rosenberg says road work that would have cost the city around $1 million two years ago will cost about 30% more in the new budget which may have an impact on how much work the city can get done next year. “That includes all of the stuff under the road, utilities and all that.”
Rosenberg adds that the city is also negotiating with its police and fire departments for new contracts and recently updated some HR policies which will lead to higher wages for employees. She hopes that will lead to better employee recruitment and less turnover.
The 2023 city budget will come together over the next few weeks with the city council taking up the document in November.
Other topics Rosenberg discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- Prepping the new budget
7:00- Election prep
11:00- Moving with the Mayor… and Dogs!
Comments