TIF thinking | The Weekly Wausonian

Wausau news for the week of Aug. 29, 2024

Aug 29, 2024

A little while back, a number of people started asking: Is TIF Financing having a negative impact on the county?

A county task force created almost two years ago has studied the issue and last week released some recommendations on how the county can influence policy in a way that would minimize that impact.

But first, a number of you are probably wondering what TIF is, and why the county is studying it. TIF Districts are a way for municipalities to spur growth in troubled areas. (That could mean dilapidated properties, or environmental contamination, that sort of thing.)

The way they work is a municipality sets a district and establishes the current property valuation as a baseline. The municipality can then borrow from that district to fund projects within that district. Any growth beyond the established baseline then goes toward paying back the borrowing (it can also be used for infrastructure within that district).

In theory, it’s a win-win - the city gets new development without spending from its capital funds, developers get assistance in developing challenging properties, and the city gets more tax revenue from the development growth once the district closes.

But critics say that hasn’t always panned out. Districts are often around for nearly 30 years - in the meantime, taxes actually going to the municipality and other taxing jurisdictions are still from that baseline. A district that’s been around for 24 years today, for instance, would be paying taxes as if it’s 1998.

That led to several recommendations presented by Task Force Chair Dave Oberbeck, a former city council member and former county board member. Some of the task force’s recommendations:

Advocate for changes to TIF law, such as lowering the number of years a district can remain open
Focus on the Joint Review Board, which approves TIF projects locally, including more focus on the county’s JRB member and expectations for that member.
Encourage state leaders to more stringently enforce the 12% valuation cap (right now, municipalities are supposed to stay under 12% of their property value inside a TIF but enforcement has been lax).
Future limitations on district extensions, since closing them is what allows municipalities to capture the increased value.

Subscribers this week read about a blistering, confidential investigative report The Wausonian obtained that concluded that Kronenwetter Board Member Ken Charneski has been harassing village staff. Read about it, and Charneski’s reaction, here:

Report: Ken Charneski is creating a hostile work environment

B.C. Kowalski

Aug 24

Report: Ken Charneski is creating a hostile work environment

CORRECTION: The Wausonian has learned that the village has hired a new public works director. The story has been updated to reflect that.

Read full story

What else in Wausau?

Yes to meters, no to solar: The city’s Finance Committee voted to approve $800,000 of American Rescue Plan funding to help the city’s water utility buy new meters. Those meters will replace existing aging meters that have led to customers not paying for all the water they’re using. Funding the meters means the city won’t be able to use ARPA funding to pay for the city’s new solar array, but city leaders say other sources can help pay for that.

The security deposit grant: City Community Outreach Coordinator Tracy Rieger says she received a $5,000 impact grant - half of what she requested - to help house homeless people. The grant money helped pay security deposits, which for her homeless clients often are doubled or even tripled. Rieger says she’s already spent the entire amount.

A Ukrainian art show

Ukrainian artist Julia Ivanisova Just Right Bakery Wausau Ukraine — Ukrainian artist Julia Ivanisova displayed her art at Just Right Bakery Saturday and Sunday. She raised money through sales of prints to help those impacted by the war in Ukraine.

Around the metro

The horseshoes are coming to town: OK, it’s not the X Games or the CrossFit games, but it will bring people to town: The newly opened Greenheck Turner Community Center is already slated to host the Horseshoe Throwing World Championships in 2026 and 2029. The contest would have contestants and showrunners staying in town for at least a week, spending money on hotels and restaurants and the like. Suggestion: Have Horseshoes and Hand Grenades play the opening ceremonies.

Speaking of the CVB: The village of Weston toyed with pulling itself from the Central Wisconsin Visitors and Convention Bureau. Village leaders said they were paying a higher percentage of their room tax than other municipalities as one of the reasons pulling out was on the Tourism Commission’s agenda. But the commission voted to start re-negotiating its contract instead.

Business

Art on Grand: In a building that once housed an auto shop, a new business is opening up that seems pretty much the opposite of that. Art on Grand is slated to open on the corner of Grand Avenue and Kent Street. The business says it will help promote local artists in the area.

Entertainment

Thursday, Aug. 29: Lamplight Sessions is one of those music venues that just can’t miss. The bands that come through this small Mosinee venue are regional and national acts on their way up. They opened with Daniel Donato, who is playing major venues now. The latest to make their way to Lamplight is Bad, Bad Hats, an indie Minneapolis rock band that’s melodic with a strong rock edge. They’re a fun group, and opening for them is Ian George and his band. Food by Hanuman Express. Doors at 6 pm, show at 7 pm. Check out the event page for more.

Friday, Aug. 30: There might be a more Wisconsin name for a band than The Mill Creek Cowtippers, but if there is, I haven’t heard it yet. This fun bluegrass band has been playing around the area, with shows at the state fair and the Edgar Steam Show among others. A recent gig had them playing a bluegrass version of the late Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, and otherwise their bluegrass style is upbeat and energetic, complete with fiddle, bass and guitar. They’re a fun band, and should be really fun at The Garage, which has quickly established itself as one the top music venues in the area. 7 pm. Check out the event page for more.

Sat.-Sun., Aug. 31-Sept. 1: If you’re a lover of jazz, this is where you want to be this weekend. The Riverfront Jazz Festival is one of the biggest ones in the state, and it always brings a wealth of talent to the Stevens Point area. Find a great mix of big-name artists along with some of your favorite central Wisconsin musicians from the Point of Jazz Quintet, made up exclusively of former UWSP students, to Davina and the Vagabonds, who have played all over the world and earned high praise from NPR and the Chicago Tribune, you’ll find plenty of great music to listen to. One more artist you’ll want to watch: Zach Finnegan playing at 5 pm Sunday - he’s a former Wausonian whose career skyrocketed when he started touring with Grammy winner Michael Buble last year. 3 pm Saturday and Sunday. Check out the full lineup at the event page.

Looking for kids/family events? Check out the family-oriented listing from The Wausonian’s partner Wausau Mama, who puts together a weekly listing of children/family activities.

Sports

Football: Conference matchups don’t kick off until Sept. 5, but several teams already started playing games last week. D.C. Everest was the only Wausau area team to play, and the Evergreens lost 44-17 to Rice Lake.

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