By Joe Bachman

It’s a great time to work for the City of Wisconsin Rapids.

The Human Resources Committee approved a wage increase of two percent for non-union employees working for the city. This will mean a one percent increase for base wages, and an additional one percent given in form of a lump sum bonus check.

The city’s workforce is currently made up of approximately 30 percent non-union employees. This notably includes the police department, and together, non-union employees will see a total of $460,000 increase in their wages.

While the number seems high, this is considered fairly common to keep up with cost of living, inflation, and increased benefits.

“This increase equates to about $460,000 dollars of additional budget money to maintain the status quo for staffing,” said Finance Director Tim Desorcy.

“Budgetarily, the primary driver is every dollar that consumes wages and benefits,” said Mayor Zach Vruwink. “Parity is out first priority.”

It’s as much a revenue problem for the city,” said Desorcy. “We don’t have as much progressive revenue to keep up with the cost of inflation and growing wages and benefits.”

This will see a final decision at the next common council meeting held on Tuesday, Nov. 15.