Both Marathon County and the city of Wausau unveiled their proposed 2026 budgets this week.
Both contemplate job cuts (all empty positions, or holding off on filling positions without eliminating them).
Both see a higher cost to continue that doesn’t reflect a similar increase in levy.
But Wausau’s future budget prospects look more dire. The city is looking at a $1.2 million shortfall for 2027’s budget as the bill for the city’s new nine firefighter positions comes due. (Another three were paid for via ARPA funds.)
The city funded 12 firefighter positions with grant money, and 15 total public safety positions. That has a shelf life, and by 2027 that grant money will almost entirely run out. That leaves the city on the hook as the budget is already squeezed.
In Monday’s budget report, Finance Director Maryanne Groat floated the idea of a referendum to exceed state levy limits to cover the differect. According to the plan’s timeline, that would go before city voters in spring of 2026.
The Wausonian plans to write much more extensive reports on both Marathon County and Wausau’s budgets this week. As a preview, other city cuts include only keeping two pools open at one time (the three pools would rotate days closed).
It took three months to get records related to the city nearly selling a property on Wyatt Street to a teenager, but what we learned surprised us - particularly about the city attorney office’s lack of staffing:
Requesting records to learn how the city almost sold Wyatt Street to a teen
When it came out that the city nearly sold a property on Wyatt Street to a teenager, I requested records between Community Development Manager Tammy Stratz and the would-be developer, Gunther Nowak.
Schofield is buying the old mobile home park to redevelop it, we analyzed the Wausau Ignite’s first season attendance, and much more:
Marathon County to sell the old mobile home park to Schofield
After taking the property through tax deed and cleaning it up, Marathon County this month approved selling the former mobile home park land to the city of Schofield.
What else in Wausau
Wausau School Board appoints new member to replace Rusch: The Wausau School Board Monday selected four candidates to be interviewed for an open Wausau School Board seat left when Jane Rusch stepped down earlier this year. The four are Cody Nikolai (a former board member), Charles Burger, Michelle Gleason and John Huntington. Also applying were Liberty Heidmann, Kimberly Sevilla and Mia Khang. The selection came after the first vote ended in a tie, though the specifics of that tied vote were not specified at the meeting.
Wausau man sentenced in drug trafficking case: A federal judge has sentenced a 40-year-old Wausau man to prison in a cocaine trafficking case. Johntay Johnson is facing 8 years in prison for maintaining a drug-involved location, possessing a firearm as a felon and selling cocaine. The court case came after he was investigated by the Central Wisconsin Narcotics Task Force.
Around the metro
Sheriff’s office IDs two killed in Friday crash: The Marathon County Sheriff’s Office has identified the two people killed in a crash around 10 pm Friday at the town of Wausau. Officials say Shirley Erickson, 81, and Arlen Erickson, 82, were killed in a crash on Highway 52 near Forest Lawn Road. Another person was transported to the hospital with serious injuries, officials say, and a fourth person was treated with minor injuries and released. Deputies are still investigating the crash.
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Business
Starbucks closing 1% stores, includes Rothschild location: One Starbucks in Rothschild has closed so far as the company expects to close 1% of its stores nationwide. The Starbucks near the Cedar Creek Mall closed over the weekend, with a note on the front door explaining the closure to customers. That location only opened in July 2024, according to online records.
Hy-Vee acquires County Market store: Officials with the Hy-Vee grocery chain announced that the company will be purchasing the Wausau County Market on 18th Avenue. The store will close on Nov. 11 and reopen as a Hy-Vee location on Nov. 18, company spokespeople say. Hy-Vee will also acquire the nearby Circle K convenience store, rebranding it as a Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh location. Hy-Vee currently has eight locations in the state, most of them in the southern part of Wisconsin.
Entertainment
It’s harvest season with several harvest-themed fall events this weekend, plus Rev. Meantooth takes over The Office, a blues legend returns to Wausau and much more.
Looking for kids/family events? Check out the full listing from The Wausonian’s partner Wausau Mama, who puts together a weekly listing of children/family activities.
Sports
Football: D.C. Everest Football is getting back to its old unstoppable ways as it rolled past Eau Claire North 39-7 Friday. The Evergreens remain undefeated in the Wisconsin Valley Conference at 4-0 as they prepare to host Chippewa Falls Friday.
Volleyball: Wausau West defeated Wausau East in four games Thursday to remain the top Wausau area team in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. The Warriors are now 3-1, tied with Marshfield for second place in the conference.
Boys soccer: D.C. Everest continues its undefeated season with a win over Wausau East. Everest’s goalie Aissen Witter kept a clean sheet as the Evergreens (4-0-1) defeated the Lumberjacks 4-0. They’ll host 0-4 Wausau West today (Thursday).
Girls tennis: Wausau West finally took its first loss of the season on the last regular match of the season. The Warriors lost to SPASH 4-3 heading into the Wisconsin Valley Conference Tournament today (Thursday), which caps the regular season.
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