CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – Lisa Rasmussen, a current alder and a former Wausau City Council president, had this wise observation: “Not everyone who comes to City Hall goes away happy.”
Should security be upgraded at Wausau’s City Hall? Yes, it should. That includes a more secure entrance to the city council chambers, bullet-proof glass where appropriate, and, perhaps a larger police presence when the council is conducting city business.
The city budgeted $180,000 for enhanced security. The lowest bid came in $50,000 above that. I consider this project necessary. City leaders should spend the extra money.
But this is also a moment when we should prioritize what we spend our money on. The city is also debating a solar array to power its new water treatment plant. This is more expensive than using regular electricity. Solar panels involve large up-front costs and don’t give a return on investment until 10 years later. Once solar panels need to be replaced, they’re environmentally difficult to dispose of.
My point is this: if you had to prioritize one project over another, it’s not even close. City Hall security wins, hands down. A dubious green-energy project can wait.
And Wausau has already spent money on questionable projects. When Congress began discussing trying to claw back unspent COVID money, Wausau spent what it had left on new LED streetlights. That money is gone now. Your savings will be just pennies.
Remember, Wausau is sitting on a surprise $1.1-million in shared revenue from the state. Mayor Katie Rosenberg muses that perhaps, maybe some of that money could be used to lower property taxes. But she quickly adds that the Finance Committee puts the city’s budget together; she is only one of many voices.
Remember this: government’s number one activity is to spend money. When they are flush with cash, all kinds of low priority projects bubble up to the top of the spending list. Tax cuts? That’s only if there’s anything left over.
Chris Conley
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