City Council considers Shared Ride Program

The Rhinelander city council is considering the Shared Ride Taxi Program. 

City administrator Patrick Reagan told the council at its Dec. 8 meeting the program would come at a cost of approximately $100,000. He said while he would like to see the city help to provide services to those who did not drive and needed assistance getting around, he reminded the council that $729,000 had to be cut out of the general funds budget for 2026.

Council member Gerald Anderson said he added this item to the agenda last summer so it could be considered during the budget process.

“I would like to do what we can to provide adequate transportation for people,” Anderson said. However, he said he was still unclear about the program itself and where the money put into that program goes. With that, he said, he felt it better to leave that program alone. 

Alderman Steven Jopek asked if there was any communication with the city’s current taxi service and/or Northwoods Transit Connections as to whether those entities were meeting the need of the citizens and if citizens were getting to the places they needed to be when they needed to be there.

Reagan said he was unsure whether the needs were being met, but he said that conversation could be had. He said he had not heard much from citizens, either. City clerk Austin Zarda said he had fielded a few calls, but he was able to direct them to other entities that had a taxi license.

Alderperson Carrie Mikalauski, who works at the Oneida County Human Services Office, said the Rhinelander taxi company had worked very well with their clients. 

Mayor Kris Hanus said he felt the majority of the concerns came shortly after the program was discontinued. Since then, anecdotally, at least, most citizens’ needs seem to be serviced by the current taxi options. There are some concerns regarding the time it takes to get a taxi to arrive, and even a few concerns about rate increases. He said he expected that would happen unless a ride would immediately arrive as soon as requested and it were free of charge. He did add that in order for any entity with a taxi license to increase their rates, that matter would need to come before the city council for approval.

The council decided, in the end, that it would hold off on the Shared Ride Taxi Program for reasons of funding and also  because the needs of the citizens were largely being met already.

Gauthier retires

Police chief Lloyd Gauthier announced his retirement at the close of the meeting. Gauthier grew up in Rhinelander, attending Pelican Elementary School, and then graduating from Rhinelander High School. He attended Nicolet College, and said he never wanted to leave Rhinelander. However, his service took him to Kenosha County, where he served with the state patrol for two years before returning to Rhinelander. 

Gauthier spoke about his many fond memories of his service to the town. He also thanked his wife and family for their support over all of the years he sometimes missed important events and occasions. He said retirement would be bittersweet, as he counted down his last 30 plus days before he left office. 

Hanus said while he was not one to give speeches, that he wanted all to know he felt Gauthier was second to none, from a leadership point of view, from a business point of view, and through working with him as the mayor. Gauthier received a standing ovation for his years of service. 

His last day on the job is Jan. 9.

Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].