Wausau could retain humane officer at least until end of 2024

Damakant Jayshi

Wausau is one step closer to retaining the city’s humane officer until at least the end of the year, after the city’s Finance Committee approved a budget modification on Tuesday.

A proposal to change the existing program, presented by the Wausau Police Department, generated mixed reaction among alders, residents and animal experts, some of whom have publicly criticized the measure.

Retaining the current salary and benefits related to the animal control program will exceed the budget by $4,000, according to Finance Director Maryanne Groat. That amount will cover the period from the end of October through the end of the year. Humane Officer Ashlee Bishop’s stint was to end on Oct. 26, according to a termination letter she received months ago.

The budget shortfall occurred after south metro communities withdrew from the joint animal control program with Wausau. Everest Metro, which served Weston and Schofield, merged with Rothschild earlier this year to create the Mountain Bay Metro Police Department. The new entity will handle its own animal control in the municipalities it serves.

Earlier this month, the Wausau City Council postponed a decision on the police proposal to replace its full-time humane officer with part-time non-sworn officers under a new animal control program. The department was asked by the last term’s Finance Committee to re-evaluate the program and come up with suggestions.

Police officials say their alternative proposal provides better service at a lower cost as CSOs can work 60 hours a week, including off-hours. But critics, including Dist. 5 Alder Gary Gisselman, have said the community deserves to have a qualified humane officer because that’s what Wausau committed to residents when they were asked to pay pet licensing fees.

The council postponed a decision on the matter after Alder Lou Larson proposed retaining the humane officer and tapping two part-time officers who work at the police department. The council referred the matter to the Finance Committee to assess any budgetary impact.

The Finance Committee’s approved budget modification on Tuesday also covers the part-time pay for two community service officers under the Wausau Police Department, from September through December.

Groat said the pay for the two non-sworn officers would add additional costs of $21,603, with the financial impact for the year being over $25,000.

Alder Victoria Tierney clarified that Larson’s amendment was not asking for the addition of two new officers but relies on employees already working at the department. Most CSOs are college students who work during the summer.

Wausau Police Chief Matthew Barnes said the department would implement any policies set by city leaders.

Alders Terry Kilian, Gisselman and Tierney voted in favor of the budget modification. Alders Michael Martens and Becky McElhaney voted against it. The committee’s decision is subject to City Council approval.