Wausau Mayor Doug Diny. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau Mayor Doug Diny will veto the 2026 budget, calling the spending plan a “tax-hike setup.”
“I was not elected to raise taxes on an already highly taxed city. This veto is a line in the sand, even if [the] Council overrides, the message is clear: stop the scare tactics, start planning for the fiscal cliff,” said Diny in a press release.
The move comes as the Council continues to mull a $1.4 million public safety referendum next April, which would raise taxes on residents to help fund additional firefighter and paramedic positions in the Fire Department. Earlier this fall, Diny offered a proposal to cut $1.4 million from next year’s budget in what he called a “veto-proof” amendment.
The positions in question have been funded through grant funding and ARPA dollars. That money runs out next year, leaving the salaries to be absorbed into the tax levy, creating the $1.4 million budget shortfall.
RELATED: Wausau Mayor Proposes “Veto-Proof” Budget Amendment Ahead of Firefighter Referendum Discussion
The Mayor’s complete veto message is below:
Press Release – Mayor Issues Veto Regarding Proposed Budget
The budget passed 10-1 on Tuesday, meaning three Alders would have to change their votes to uphold the Veto. Diny acknowledged that the Council likely has the eight votes required to override his action, “but taxpayers should remember who refused to cut one admin before asking for $1.4 million more.”
Council President Lisa Rasmussen released a statment saying “The council stands ready to vote on an override at our next meeting. Hopefully this political stunt of his doesn’t delay the mailing of property tax bills, since many residents want to pay before year end to secure an income tax deduction.”
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