The Wausau Finance Committee approved a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for non‑represented city employees, to take effect Dec. 21, 2025.

City staff explained the Dec. 21 start date is driven by payroll software: "Workday does not do well with raises in the midst of a pay period, and so we adopted a policy that all changes ... take place at the beginning of the pay period," the staff member said. The committee chair noted the COLA is already factored into the 2026 budget.

Alder Watson asked why the effective date was Dec. 21; after staff explanation Watson moved to approve the COLA, and Alder Albert Henke seconded. The motion passed with committee members voting in favor. The committee did not specify additional implementation details beyond confirming budget inclusion.