City of Wausau. MWC file graphic
CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) We are told that Wausau has a status quo budget for the upcoming year. That this is a budget, with a small property tax increase, that will keep city services as-is for the year ahead.
Hogwash.
Imagine for a moment that the city wasn’t getting a $1.1-million increase in aid from the state. Imagine the city still didn’t have some Biden bucks to spend from the COVID years. All of that “found” money is part of this year’s budget. If it were taken away, how large would this year’s property tax increase be? Instead of $50 more for the typical homeowner, would it be more like $200, $300, or perhaps $400?
Even our big-spending mayor and the liberal city council know that homeowners couldn’t have that much of a tax hike. They’d cut things down to something more reasonable.
So, why can’t they handle this year’s budget that way? Imagine the extra money wasn’t there. So what would be pared away from this year’s budget.
I’ll give you a few examples:
- The police and fire departments are getting a new shared administrative assistant in this year’s budget. They were told it would be a shared position – half-time for each department. They’ve done without this position until now. Why not this year?
- Perhaps green energy initiatives could be on hold for a year. Solar panel installation, like to power our new water plant, is insanely expensive. We don’t reap any savings until 10 years down the road. Using conventional electricity will save taxpayers money.
- The city owns land in the Village of Maine for a solar farm. Sell it.
- As shared in an earlier commentary, recycling programs are a waste of money. Almost nothing we throw in the green bins gets re-used. Scale it back or eliminate it.
- Look into a MetroRide bus, and often you’ll see only one or two passengers. How much longer must taxpayers foot the bill to operate empty busses?
- While I am in favor of improved security at city hall, the bids came in substantially over budget. What security features can the city get with the money that is available?
- We’re told that rising employee benefit costs are the biggest increases in this year’s budget. What’s a fair increase for city workers to pay for insurance plans that only benefit them, not the taxpayers?
The problem in Wausau is that these discussions don’t even take place. Our leader throw up their shoulders and say ‘that’s just the way it is, and that’s that.’ If that’s the mindset, property taxes will never go down.
What city leaders need to realize is this: property owners are not a bottomless pocket that they can reach into to pay for whatever they can dream up. Surely city leaders will eventually ask themselves, “What would anyone live in Wausau when the property taxes are sooo much higher than every surrounding community?”
A real opportunity for a tax cut was squandered this year. Now go pay your $50 more at the end of the month, and vote accordingly this spring.
Chris Conley
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