STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) -- City leaders in Stevens Point are getting some welcome news.
Thanks to a recent jump in new construction projects, the city's proposed 2019 budget will be growing ahead of recent paces. "Last year we were able to allow a 1% increase in operational budgets. This year, we are a little bit stronger so we are not only increasing the operational budgets a little bit but we are also sticking some money into compensation."
City budgets in Wisconsin can only grow if the city shows an increase in net new construction. Wiza says in the years before he took office, the city had averaged around $25 million in new construction. "That doesn't allow for much of an increase, so over the years our department's budgets have been frozen."
With that in mind, Wiza and his staff have placed an emphasis on economic development and new construction. "Last year we hit nearly $120 million in growth."
Last year the city was able to allow for a 1% growth in operational budgets. He says this year he's proposing an increase not only in the operational budget but the city's salary matrix as well. "Giving our employees what they are worth, or at least trying to close that gap a little bit because we have had that problem keeping and retaining good employees, just like everyone else."
He says when the city has gone to fill open positions, they often times haven't been able to offer that attracts the right people. And in cases where they have found a quality employee, they haven't been able to retain them.
Should the city's new construction growth continue into 2019, Wiza says he'd like to use the next budget to work on bringing back staff positions that had been cut in previous years such as those on the Police and Fire departments.
The full city budget will go to the council for approval later this month.
Other topics Wiza discussed with WSAU's Mike Leischner include (timestamped)
Start of video- the upcoming election and a record number of early ballots along with a summary of ballot referenda for 2018
3:30- Wiza's thoughts on the election and the importance of voting, and how to find your polling place through the city's website.
5:30- The city budget process and how they've managed an increase for 2019 and plans to use that increase to give city employees a raise.
9:10- Importance of having good people in place within the city and possibly adding staff in next year's budget.
Comments