BruceforWausau

04/20/2026

Last Tuesday, the City of Wausau approved $10 million in new debt to cover maintenance costs, motor pool expenses, and items such as trees and pavement markings. It raises a simple question: what is the future taxpayer to say about this debt?
Some could argue that Tax Increment District (TID) spending should be bonded, since it relies on future revenue from development. That can make sense—if the district generates growth beyond the initial investment and the resulting revenue is used to retire the debt rather than be redirected elsewhere. That concern is not theoretical. It was central to the recent referendum. TID closures were intended to help fund firefighters, yet those funds were ultimately diverted to general expenses.
In the latest borrowing, TID #12—the redevelopment of the former mall site—received just over $2 million of the roughly $4 million allocated across all TIDs. This same district also received $1.75 million from TID #7 in April of last year. TID #7 was expected to close in early 2026, returning an estimated $1.9 million to the city’s budget. Why couldn’t those funds—$1.9 million or even $1.75 million—cover the $1.4 million cost of the firefighters? The answer lies in how the borrowed funds were allocated, including items like trees and pavement markings.
Trees are important to the health and appearance of any city, and tree ordinances serve a purpose. But taking on additional debt to fund them is questionable at best. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offers grants for urban forestry that can match what the city borrowed, and similar federal funding was made available through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. If outside funding is available, is new debt the best option?
The decision to bond $75,000 for pavement markings raises another concern. The city’s 2026 adopted budget states: “The City will not issue long-term debt with an amortization period longer than the life of the asset being financed.” Yet, according to the WisDOT maintenance manual, painted pavement markings last about one year in Wisconsin, while thermoplastic markings last up to five. This borrowing is structured over 10 years—double the longest expected lifespan. If the funds are intended for equipment, the budget does not make that clear.
Wausau’s median effective property tax rate is 2.05%, nearly twice the national average. The city has now reached more than 33% of its allowable debt capacity, and as debt rises, so does the cost to service it. In this budget cycle, debt service totals $14.86 million, with $5.61 million coming directly from property taxes.
Ultimately, all city revenue comes from taxpayers—whether labeled as fees, permits, or taxes. Government exists to serve the people, and taxpayers have upheld their responsibility, contributing at nearly twice the national rate. The city, however, is falling short in managing those resources responsibly.
As the new City Council is seated this week, it is a good time to remember why the city exists, to serve the citizens. As a new member of the council representing District 11, that service includes protecting the citizens of my district from unnecessary taxes. That task is complex but not complicated. The city is in a hole so it’s time to stop digging

04/08/2026

Thank you to all who voted. Now let's get to work.

04/07/2026

Polls are open!

04/06/2026

There is no need to reinvent the wheel, what works for others may work for us as well. The coralarry is when something is clearly not working for others, we should recognize it will not work for our community either. Keene Winters, city council candidate in District 6, has identified several of these areas where the current council has believed basic rules of economics do not apply here.
From Mr. Winters - in part -

"...the real story of our city's fiscal challenges, drawn directly from public budget documents:
• Hidden utility taxes taking $1.59 million from your water bills
• Debt manipulation inflating your taxes 16% beyond legal limits
• TIF mismanagement diverting millions annually from our schools
• Manufactured budget "crises" used to justify endless referendums
• 40 new city positions added while our population stays flat
Every fact I've shared can be verified in the city budget. That's the difference between a locally driven campaign and one funded by distant special interests. https://wausaudistrict6.com/fridayfacts"
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Election Day: Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Polls open: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

District 11 voting is at the Wisconsin National Gaurd Armoury, 833 S 17th Ave, Wausau, WI, 54401

My Vote

04/03/2026

Life is more than politics.

03/31/2026

03/29/2026

One of the primary questions in this campaign is affordability. Can we, as a community, afford the firefighters we have hired? Can we afford not to have them? And can we afford to keep raising property taxes year after year?

I’d like to focus on one piece of this broader conversation: affordable housing. The term gets used often, but who is defining “affordable”? For someone living on a fixed retirement income with rising medical costs, even a fully paid-off home can become unaffordable if property taxes and maintenance costs continue to climb. Affordability isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept.

If “affordable housing” means government-subsidized housing, then we need to ask: affordable for whom? It may reduce costs for those receiving assistance, but it shifts the burden onto taxpayers—many of whom are already struggling to afford their own homes. When someone paying property taxes is also expected to subsidize additional housing, that shared burden can quickly become unsustainable. As we’ve seen, taxes have risen dramatically in recent years, and that trend deserves serious attention.

If affordability instead means living comfortably within one’s means, that’s largely a personal decision—not something government can or should fully define. Over time, our expectations around housing have changed. In the 1960s, the average home was around 1,000 square feet. Today, many buyers are looking for homes nearly twice that size. Multi-generational living was also far more common, with grandparents, parents, and children sharing one household. That model helped distribute the cost of homeownership within families rather than across the broader community.

So instead of relying heavily on subsidies, why not explore practical, market-driven alternatives that expand access to lower-cost housing?

We could encourage the development of smaller, more efficient homes that are naturally more affordable to build and maintain. We could revisit options like modular housing, quonset-style structures, or well-managed trailer parks—solutions that have historically provided lower-cost entry points to homeownership or rental living. These approaches don’t eliminate personal responsibility, but they do create more accessible options without placing additional strain on taxpayers.

We should also be asking: how is our community supporting flexible housing solutions like multi-generational living or zoning that allows for creative, cost-effective development?

Affordability matters—but how we define it, and how we achieve it, matters just as much.

03/24/2026

Early in person voting for the April 7 election begins today! The early inperson voting location for Wausau City Council District 11 is Wausau city hall. According to the city website -
"Early Voting
In-Person Absentee Voting allows voters to cast a ballot prior to Election, in person.

Schedule for the 2026 Spring Election
(Voter registration can also be completed during this time through Friday, April 3)

Location: City Hall, 407 Grant St, Wausau, WI 54403. Voting will take place in the Council Chambers.

Tuesday, March 24 - Friday, March 27:
8:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday, March 28:
8:00am - 12:00pm
Monday, March 30 - Thursday, April 2:
8:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday, April 4:
8:00am - 12:00pm

What to Bring With You
Acceptable form of photo ID
If you need to register, a valid Proof of Residence document"
https://www.wausauwi.gov/your-government/clerk/elections/voter-info

03/24/2026

Who do you know in Wausau's District 11 who will allow a yard sign in their yard for the next two weeks?

03/22/2026

While knocking on doors and introducing myself in my race for the Wausau city council District 11 seat, a few people have asked if I am “red or blue.” At first the question was a bit confusing. The more I thought about it, the answer is one of the reasons I am running for this office. This race isn’t about red or blue—it’s about what works for our community. I’m focused on practical solutions to improve our neighborhoods, services, and the Wausau economy. “I’m not running to represent a party—I’m running to represent the people in this city. My priority is listening to residents and making decisions that reflect their needs.I’ll work with anyone, regardless of political affiliation, if it helps move our city forward. Good ideas don’t belong to one party. People in our community care about safe neighborhoods, good roads, and responsible budgeting. Those aren’t red or blue issues—they’re shared priorities by the people who live here. Like anyone, I have personal views, but this role is about serving the whole community. My decisions will be guided by what’s best for our city, not a party agenda. The city will succeed when we stop pandering to special interests and begin working for a better future together.