WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Leaders in Wausau are scheduling another public input session regarding the $15.75 million in funding received from the American Rescue Plan earlier this year.
Mayor Katie Rosenberg says while many of the city’s questions on what they can spend the money on have been cleared up, there’s still the big issue of what to do with it, and how that fits into the 2022 city budget. While no final decisions have been made, she says they do seem to be narrowing the focus down to either using the money to replace lead pipe service lines in the city or putting it towards the new water treatment plants.
“We’ve come up with a plan where if we hired our own plumbers [to replace the lines,] it would be a $3 million thing to get those lines taken care of. It’s marginally less expensive if we can get those contracted workers,” she said.
The other idea gaining traction is to use the funds towards paying off the new drinking water facility. “We could borrow less. That’s kind of where I’m headed, that’s where my head is at. I think that will help all of us with the rates.”
She there are some on the city council who don’t think that would lead to a noticeable difference in water rates, which is why she’s calling the input session later this month. “I think that’s a conversation we need to have publicly. I would love to hear from people.”
Rosenberg says the pending infrastructure bill in Washington could also impact the city’s project wish list for 2022.
The input session will be held Thursday, September 23rd at City Hall. Comments will be taken both at the session and through email and other electronic means,
Other topics Rosenberg discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner include:
Start of video- update on city budgeting process and ARPA funding
7:25- Street crews ready for winter
9:35- Update on CVB
12:00- Rhinelander, Stevens Point, and Wausau Mayor’s art contest
Comments