Work is underway on the 2026 budget in Wisconsin Rapids

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WFHR / WIRI) – It’s budget season and city officials are working to review budgets throughout city departments.

Mayor Matt Zacher says there’s a lot of work ahead for the 2026 budget in Wisconsin Rapids. 

“We have a ways to go to kinda fill the gap between what’s being brought in and what’s being spent,” says Zacher.

One of the important funding issues the city is facing this year involves emergency medical services (EMS). Wisconsin Rapids has mutual aid agreements with several of the surrounding communities.

 ”A big part of that conversation right now is the outlying contracted areas for EMS services that we’ve taken on over the years to provide the best services possible for all the contracted areas that we have around us,” Zacher explains. “But at the same time, we also have to make sure that it’s fair in terms of who’s paying for what services and how that goes.”

EMS services are in short supply across the state

This isn’t just an issue in Wisconsin Rapids and the surrounding areas. There’s a broader lack of EMS services affecting the entire state. A report in June from the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health regarding fire service reliability identified concerns from fire chiefs. These concerns include inadequate staffing and a lack of financial resources. Zacher said they are looking for a long-term solution that’s transparent and viable.

“This is gonna be an ongoing problem for probably the next couple of decades. The closer we can come to a good, transparent solution [that] everybody’s on board with … it’s only gonna help us out for the long run,” says Zacher. “Also just be able to make sure we’re taking care of our constituents, residents, and people in the community to the best of our ability.”

In Richland County, officials have worked for months to decide how to best continue EMS services. Their new contract structure will increase costs for the municipalities involved, some significantly so.

Budget meetings

Budget meetings will continue through mid-November. You can see the full list of budget meetings and other city meetings on the city’s website. Budget meetings are subject to change. Check the website for the most up-to-date information. The deadline for a completed budget is Monday, Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. for a public hearing.