Wisconsin Rapids to hold Public Budget Meeting Tonight, to include SWCHS funding

Wisconsin Rapids, WI (WFHR, WIRI)

A special meeting of the Wisconsin Rapids Common Council will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 444 West Grand Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids, on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. The public is enouraged to attend.

Madalyn Palmquist, City Council President stated “We want the public to come in and give input to help shape the city budget to reflect the services and priorities the community expects to receive” “Services across the board will be discussed, including the Humane Society, Zoo, City parks, library and community devlopment, to name a few”
Madalyn suggested residents visit the citys’s website at wirapids.org to review the draft 2025 budget that is posted.

One of the budgetary items to be discussed is the city’s contract with the South Wood County Humane Society. In 2024 the city paid $86,500 for animal control services. The City Council has proposed reducing that amount to $25,000 and putting services out for competitive bids.
Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Matt Zacher stated that bids will need to be “apples to apples” and that with “more numbers on the table” the city is better positioned to discuss services and costs with SWCHS, including the possibility of restructuring it’s agreement as fee for service or quarterly billing. Currently the city pays for a full year upfront when the exact number of per-incident fees are unknown.

The budgetary meeting will be streamed live on the City of Wisconsin Rapids Facebook page