WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — The 2026 budget in Wisconsin Rapids is tight, but Mayor Matt Zacher says they’ve navigated the worst of it.
“It was a tough year from the get-go,” said Zacher. “Once we put all the numbers together, it came to an $850,000 shortfall. Everybody, all the departments, had to go to work and go through everything line-by-line.”
Initial cuts got the deficit down to about $400,000. That’s when the “tough calls” came into play, like leaving vacant positions unfilled and cutting from the COLA, or cost of living adjustment, meaning employees won’t get as much of a raise as they might have.
“We do have a step plan, which helps, but we won’t be able to do a COLA just yet. There are some variables that we won’t know for a few months. So as things go along, we are hoping to make some amendments, possibly give some bonuses as the funds are available.”
Those step adjustments will be 1.5% to 2%. Zacher notes that the city has also made a point to “pay well from the get-go, they are getting a good salary depending on their level of skills and expertise.”
Zacher says this year’s focus was on the people because, like any organization, they need to keep talent in place. “The majority of the cost to any government entity is the people. We want to make sure the people that are here know they are appreciated,” added Zacher.
City leaders are still finalizing the numbers ahead of the final budget presentation later this month.
Other topics Zacher discussed with WSAU’s Mike Leischner:
Start of video- budget update
10:40- Kraft mill update
13:20- Potential solar project
Comments