City of Wisconsin Rapids

The meeting addressed updates and discussion regarding the Safe Haven Baby Box project, confirming the securing of a third-party fiscal agent (Father Shaller) to hold and distribute funds, and noting strong community support. Updates were provided on site selection, recommending the westside station, and an installation quote of $11,247 was received, noting city employees cannot perform the work. A significant portion of the meeting involved a review and discussion of the 2026 budget, focusing on property tax levy calculations, which currently showed the proposed tax levy exceeding the statutory limit by $77,000 under Scenario A (historical practice). The committee discussed the option of utilizing the full debt service adjustment (Scenario B), which would increase the property tax rate more significantly (4.11% versus 1.89% in Scenario A) but reduce the deficit. Discussions also touched upon the EMS contracts, noting a potential revenue decrease of approximately $137,000 if contracts are not renewed.

The meeting commenced with roll call and the pledge of allegiance. Key discussions involved the confirmation of Mayor Zacher's appointments to various committees, commissions, and boards. The council also adopted a resolution adopting the tax levy and the 2026 budgets for the city and the waterworks and lighting commission. Actions from standing committees were considered, including the Finance and Property Committee meeting from November 4, 2025, which involved discussions regarding a 'baby box' contingent upon fundraising success. The Public Works Committee minutes from November 6, 2025, were also addressed. Additionally, referrals were made to the Legislative Committee concerning revisions to city codes related to cat/dog controls and the wastewater treatment commission, and a referral was made to Public Works regarding parking. The council subsequently voted to enter closed session to discuss negotiations strategy for the renewal of emergency medical service agreements.

The committee meeting focused on the final review and action for the 2026 budget to ensure it balanced and complied with the statutory tax levy limit, bringing the deficit to zero. Reductions to achieve this balance involved revenue adjustments, including municipal court revenue, property tax equivalent, and various grants, as well as expenditure revisions from department budgets such as Police, Traffic Control, Parks, and McMillan Library. Specific expenditure cuts included deferring new chairs and crime prevention items (bicycles) in the Police budget, reducing aquatics and facility maintenance labor in Parks, and trimming miscellaneous, software, and technology programming budgets in the Library. Additionally, the budget accounted for no wage adjustment for non-represented employees and the non-budgeting for several open positions to balance the initial deficit. Discussion also covered the status of EMS contracts and subsequent council meetings scheduled for final budget adoption.

The Public Works Committee meeting addressed several items, including a request from the Wood County Health Department to install sidewalk art along the Ahdawagam trail, which was approved pending grant application. The committee voted to award the Riverwall Rehabilitation project to Zenith Tech, Inc. for $1,206,100.00. A draft Lead Service Line Replacement Ordinance was discussed regarding timelines, funding responsibilities, and program administration, with no motion taken for Council review. An update was given on the East Jackson St project, and the Mayor requested reconsideration of the intersection control type at 3rd St S and E Jackson St. Monthly activity reports were reviewed, and several completed items were removed from the Referral List.

The Airport Commission meeting included updates from SEH regarding ongoing projects, noting that approval for the Master Plan's forecasting component is pending before further progress can be made, and that the ATP funding application for the terminal project was submitted. Updates were also provided by Dan Minarcik from WIBOA. A contract was awarded for tree removal for phase 1 of the obstruction removal project. The Airport Manager presented a year-to-date report covering activities, projects, and financials, which was approved. New business included the approval of new lease agreements for hangar lots 29 and 19. The Commission discussed funding the terminal building design as a sponsor-only project to meet scheduling demands, and requested an estimate of the design cost for a future meeting. The December financial statements were reviewed and approved.