Wausau's push toward a city administrator form of government has hit a setback in the city budget process.
The City Council's finance committee has removed $150,000 that Mayor Doug Diny had included to pay a city administrator's salary. The money will instead go toward a citywide audit.
Diny had proposed the salary funding ahead of an expected debate in the coming year over whether Wausau should switch to an administrator or city manager form of government.
Some council members said paying for a position that has not formally been created would be premature, and the move signals limited support for the change on the council.
The last time Wausau voters were asked about the idea, they rejected it in a referendum.
The city's proposed 2027 budget is scheduled for a public hearing on Nov. 10. WSAU reported the budget already carries the largest increase in city spending in a decade and the largest property tax increase in eight years.
