Wausau Fire Department. MWC photo by Mike Leischner.
CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – Yesterday Wausau Mayor Doug Diny vetoed next year’s city budget.
Since the spending plan passed on an 10-1 city council vote, an override is likely.
But, the mayor has a point. He introduced a proposal a month ago that would have elmininated the need for a $1.5-million referendum this spring. The mayor’s proposal:
- Wausau drops out of a joint parks department agreement with Marathon County
- Wausau eliminates four unfilled mid-manager positions within the parks department
- The city redirect that money to keep four fire fighter-paramedics
Four is less than the 11 paramedics the fire department wishes to hire. But this would be a sure bet, instead of getting nothing if voters reject the referendum in April, which they are likely to do.
What’s been the city council’s response so far? Nothing. The mayor’s proposal hasn’t even been discussed. All we’ve gotten is a statement from Council President Lisa Rasmussen, saying the mayors numbers don’t add up. His figures haven’t been blessed by the city’s finance staff.
So what? There’s plenty of time between now and the end of December for a financial review. And, suppose the mayor’s financial analysis is too generous, and the city would only be able to hire three parademics. That’s still one extra person at each fire house. And that’s better than nothing.
So great is the city council’s hatred of Mayor Diny that even reasonable proposals from his office aren’t even debated.
And the mayor is right. He wasn’t elected to raise taxes. The council may override, but they will own whatever tax increase the voters may (or may not) approve this spring. The one person who is trying to hold the line on taxes in the city is a lonely voice indeed.
Chris Conley
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