Summary

Common Council approves multiple budget actions, transit and utility measures; one tax claim denied

WausauApr 14, 20263 min read

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The Wausau Common Council met April 14, 2026 (11 members present). The consent agenda passed (10–1). Key approvals included budget modifications and carryovers, funding and agreements for transit (Metro Ride study; CAD/AVL support), Wausau Water Works lead service line funding, airport leases and property transactions (including sale to Habitat for Humanity of Wausau), and a Grow Solar MOU with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. A resolution seeking recovery of alleged unlawful tax for Green Acres at Greenwood Hills, LLC failed (0–11). The Council also confirmed mayoral appointments, suspended Rule 1(D), referred the 2026 summer hours program back to Human Resources, and approved parameters for issuing up to $10.56M in GO promissory notes. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.

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Key decisions

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Consent agenda approved (includes bikeshare sponsorship, repeal of hand-held mobile phone ordinance, MREA Grow Solar MOU, Grand Avenue signal replacements, airport lease items, sale of 921 S. 19th Ave to Habitat for Humanity of Wausau, and others) — Vote: Yes 10, No 1 (Alderperson Tierney).
Resolution approving utility easement with Beacon Resources LLC at 731 N 1st Street (26-0404) — Approved. Vote: Yes 9, No 2 (Alderpersons Kilian and Tierney).
Confirming mayoral appointments to Wausau Arts Commission and Airport Committee (26-0402) — Approved unanimously. Vote: Yes 11, No 0.
Resolution approving alleged claim for recovery of unlawful tax for Green Acres at Greenwood Hills, LLC - Outlot 1 (26-0409) — FAILED. Vote: Yes 0, No 11.
2026 budget modification transferring $494,000 to Recycling, Airport, and Parking Funds (25-1109C) — Approved. Vote: Yes 9, No 2 (Alderpersons Kilian and Tierney).
Suspension of Rule 1(D) (transmission of committee business to Council) — Approved. Vote: Yes 8, No 3 (Alderpersons Kilian, Griner, Tierney).
2026 budget carryover from 2025 to 2026 (25-1109B) — Approved. Vote: Yes 10, No 1 (Alderperson Kilian).
Budget modification for Wausau Water Works lead service line replacement (25-1109E) — Approved unanimously. Vote: Yes 11, No 0.
Budget modification for Wausau Metro Ride feasibility study (26-0306) — Approved with scrivener correction noted. Vote: Yes 8, No 3 (Alderpersons Kilian, Tierney, Larson).
Fixed price maintenance support agreement with GMV Syncromatics Corp. for CAD/AVL at Metro Ride (26-0410) — Approved unanimously. Vote: Yes 11, No 0.
Participation in the Six Remnant Defendants National Opioid Settlement Agreement (25-1010) — Approved unanimously. Vote: Yes 11, No 0.
2026 Summer Hours Program (25-0520) — Motion to refer back to Human Resources Committee approved unanimously. Vote: Yes 11, No 0.
Authorization of parameters for issuance of up to $10,560,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026A (26-0411) — Approved. Vote: Yes 9, No 2 (Alderpersons Kilian and Tierney).
Council recognized outgoing members Aaron Griner, Chad Henke, Becky McElhaney, and Lisa Rasmussen; meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM.

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Meeting information

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Common Council Meeting

Apr 14, 2026, 6:30 PMWausau City Hall — Council Chambers, 407 Grant Street, Wausau WI 54403completed

Agenda

1 Call to order by the presiding officer.
2 Pledge of Allegiance, and Roll Call and Proclamations.
2026-598 Mayor's Monarch Proclamation
attachments=1
Decision: Pledge of Allegiance, and Roll Call and Proclamations.
3 Reading of the City of Wausau Public Comment Statement.
4 Comments and suggestions from preregistered citizens.
(Any person wishing to offer public comment on items unrelated to items appearing on the agenda must pre-register by providing a name and address in writing to the City Clerk’s Office or chair of a standing committee. Public comments must be limited to items on the agenda if not pre-registered.)
5 Consent agenda.
2026-209 Joint Resolution from the Infrastructure & Facilities Committee and the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee to Approve Securing Sponsorship Funds for the Wausau Bikeshare Program to Expand the Program.
attachments=6 | reports=2
Decision: Consent agenda.
2026-404 Ordinance from the Public Health and Safety Committee Repealing Wausau Municipal Code Section 10.01.012 Use of Hand-Held Mobile Telephones and Mobile Electronic Devices While Driving Prohibited.
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Consent agenda.
2026-450 Resolution from the Public Health & Safety Committee Approving or Denying Various Licenses as Indicated.
attachments=1 | reports=2
Decision: Consent agenda.
2026-526 Resolution from the Infrastructure & Facilities Committee Approving the State/Municipal Financial Agreement for Business 51 Stewart Avenue to County Highway U.
attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: Consent agenda.
2026-530 Joint Resolution from the Public Health & Safety Committee and the Sustainability, Energy, & Environment Committee for a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Wausau and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) to Partner in the Operation of the Grow Solar Central Wisconsin Group Buy Program.
attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: Consent agenda.
2026-533 Joint Resolution from the Infrastructure & Facilities Committee and Plan Commission for Transportation Project Plat for Project 370-40-40, Grand Avenue Signal Replacements, Sturgeon Eddy Road and Townline Road.
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Consent agenda.
2026-547 Joint Resolution from the Finance Committee and Airport Committee Approving Consent to Transfer Title to Buildings and Improvements and Waiver of First Right of Refusal to Purchase the Buildings and Improvements, Terminating Airport Ground Lease with Wynn O Jones and Approving Airport Ground Lease with Wynn O Jones – 939 Woods Place.
attachments=5 | reports=1
Decision: Consent agenda.
2026-563 Joint Resolution from the Finance Committee and Airport Committee Approving Airport Ground Lease with Cole Lundberg.
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Consent agenda.
2026-525 Resolution from the Economic Development Committee Approving Sale of City Owned Property located at 921 S. 19th Avenue to Habitat for Humanity of Wausau.
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Consent agenda.
6 Ordinances and resolutions.
2026-527 Resolution from the Infrastructure & Facilities Committee Approving the Utility Easement with Beacon Resources LLC at 731 N 1st Street.
attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: Ordinances and resolutions.
2026-599 Confirming Appointments of the Mayor of the City of Wausau to the Wausau Arts Commission and the Airport Committee.
reports=1
Decision: Ordinances and resolutions.
2026-389 Resolution from the Finance Committee Approving Alleged Claim for Recovery of Unlawful Tax for Green Acres at Greenwood Hills, LLC - Outlot 1.
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Ordinances and resolutions.
2026-594 Resolution from the Finance Committee Adopting 2026 Budget Modification to Transfer a Combined Total of $494,000 to the Recycling Fund, Airport Fund, and Parking Fund.
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Ordinances and resolutions.
7 Suspend Rule 1(D) Transmission of Committee business to the Council.
2026-507 Resolution from the Finance Committee Adopting 2026 Budget Modification for the Carryover of Funds from 2025 to 2026.
attachments=1 | reports=2
Decision: Suspend Rule 1(D) Transmission of Committee business to the Council.
2026-596 Resolution from the Finance Committee Adopting 2026 Budget Modification for the Wausau Water Works for 2025 Lead Service Line Replacement Project to Cover Costs Not Funded by the WDNR Subsidized Loan.
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Suspend Rule 1(D) Transmission of Committee business to the Council.
2026-434 Resolution from the Finance Committee Adopting 2026 Budget Modification for Wausau Metro Ride for Wausau Area Transit Feasibility Study .
attachments=4 | reports=1
Decision: Suspend Rule 1(D) Transmission of Committee business to the Council.
2026-569 Resolution from the Finance Committee Approving Fixed Price Product & Services Maintenance Support Agreement with GMV Syncromatics Corp. for CAD/AVL at Metro Ride.
attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Suspend Rule 1(D) Transmission of Committee business to the Council.
2026-581 Resolution from the Finance Committee Approving of and Participating in the Six Remnant Defendants National Opioid Settlement Agreement.
attachments=4 | reports=1
Decision: Suspend Rule 1(D) Transmission of Committee business to the Council.
2026-591 Resolution from the Human Resources Committee Approving 2026 Summer Hours Program.
attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Suspend Rule 1(D) Transmission of Committee business to the Council.
2026-597 Resolution Authorizing the Issuance and Establishing Parameters for the Sale of Not to Exceed $10,560,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, Series 2026A.
attachments=3 | reports=1
Decision: Suspend Rule 1(D) Transmission of Committee business to the Council.
8 Announcement from Mayor and Alderpersons.
9 Comments and suggestions from citizens present during Public Comment occurring both before and after the business meeting.
10 Adjournment.