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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – It’s time for Wausau’s Sustainability, Energy and Environment Committee to join the rest of us in reality. For those who don’t know, Wausau residents are facing a big property tax increase in next year’s budget because of state-mandated revaluation. Mayor Doug Diny is doing what he can. He’s already telling everyone to expect a zero-based bare-bones budget.
And here comes the Sustainability, Energy and Environment Committee. When they meet on Thursday they’ll consider whether the city should create a new position: a Sustainability Manager. They’ll also debate whether to endorse a new solar farm to power the city’s new water treatment plant. And they’ll consider a pollinator-friendly garden on the grounds of city hall.
Let’s take these items one at a time, from last to first. I have no objections to a bee-friendly garden, although I’m fully aware that other pollinator-friendly ideas like No Mow May are little more than virtue signaling. So a garden plot at City Hall, when the nearest cornfield that might be pollinated is at least a mile away, is little more than a feel-good project. Committee members: if you want to do it, fine, but not with tax dollars. Raise the money yourself.
As for powering the water plant with solar panels, Wausonians already have the most expensive water in the state. Power the water plant by the cheapest source of energy possible. Mayor Diny has already proposed a $2-million payment in lieu of taxes from the Water Works. It’s being studied further. It would lower water rates by about 10%. The amount of that much-needed rate relief that I’m willing to give up to a solar farm is zero.
Lastly, hiring a Sustainability Manager – someone who agitates for more expensive ideas in the name of Mother Earth – is a complete non-starter. The financial realities are that the city needs to cut its workforce. Spending money on a new position who will propose new ways to spend our money simply ignores the city’s financial position.
The message hasn’t reached everyone at City Hall. We are facing a financial cliff. Everyone needs to be laser focused: how can we save money and cut costs?
Chris Conley
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