By Taylor Hale

Staff Writer

STEVENS POINT- Mayor Mike Wiza sat down with Gazette staff to give his weekly update on all things Stevens Point. Wiza touched on the 2020 operational budget, additions to a local car dealership, and more.

Operational Budget Presentation scheduled for Oct. 14

Community members are invited to a presentation on the city’s 2020 operational budget during an upcoming finance committee meeting on Oct. 14.

The informational discussion follows the 2020 capital budget presentation last September.

Mayor Wiza said that the budget would not see any drastic changes from the 2019 year, noting that the city will receive a one percent budget increase across the board.

“The cost of living is two percent, so things go up 2 percent, and we only allow one percent — we are still losing a bit of ground,” Wiza explained. “But we have decided to focus on re-establishing some of the positions that have been lost over the years due to budget cuts.”

Wiza added the city would look at hiring more police officers and firefighters. The mayor also noted the city could potentially hire a new park technician and city engineer in the coming year.

Other possible budget changes could see a bump in wages for newly hired city employees with earnings under $20 per hour.

“I don’t know if we will be quite there just yet this year,” Wiza said. “But in (coming) years, I think we will be pretty set.”

Officials and residents will have roughly a month to discuss the budget. The city will take action on the operational budget this coming November.

Scaffidi Motors approved for new addition

City leaders approved changes to previously passed updates to Scaffidi Motors at a plan commission meeting on Oct. 7.

Wiza noted that Scaffidi’s new addition and expanded parking lot were approved by the commission last May, but recent changes needed reapproval.

“Layouts were changed after the approval,” Wiza said. “So, it had to come back.”

The addition includes a new structure on the southeast side of the property for vehicular repair and paint. The structure would be roughly 20,570 square feet.

Minor setback amendments were also approved for the property.

Wiza noted that work on the updates has started. Scaffidi Motors is located at 3733 Stanley St.