Proposed City Budget Doesn’t Include Funding for Firefighter Positions, Leading to Referendum Request
MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – The Marshfield Fire & Police Commission has approved Fire Chief Everett Mueller to collaborate with City staff on a referendum aimed at securing public support for funding two firefighter positions that have been vacant since 2022. The move was solidified during the Commission’s meeting on November 14, 2024, following a detailed presentation from Chief Mueller on the department’s current staffing challenges.
Fire Chief’s Presentation Highlights Staffing Concerns
During his address to the Commission, Chief Mueller emphasized the strain on the department due to reduced staffing levels, which have resulted in operational challenges. He highlighted that these staffing shortages could compromise the department’s ability to respond to multiple calls simultaneously, potentially putting both residents and firefighters at greater risk.
“The department has seen operational challenges with reduced staffing at minimum levels on a more frequent basis, which could lead to less resources available for concurrent calls,” said Chief Mueller. He explained that restoring the two positions would bring the department back to its 2022 staffing level of 12 firefighters per shift. This increase, Mueller said, would not only improve response times but also potentially reduce the department’s reliance on costly overtime hours.
Strategic Timing for the Referendum
The proposed referendum, if approved to move forward at Council, would potentially appear on the ballot during the April 2025 election. According to City Clerk Jessica Schiferl, this timing is crucial since the next opportunity would not come until April 2026 for the 2027 budget. “If you do not have this referendum question on April of 2025, your next opportunity is April of 2026,” Sheffield explained, emphasizing that a special election would likely be viewed as financially impractical.
Chief Mueller reiterated that the timing of the referendum is strategic, as the April election has no other major items on the ballot, allowing the issue to take center stage. He stressed that a more focused approach—seeking just two additional firefighter positions rather than a larger request—would be more palatable to voters, especially given the failure of a broader referendum in 2023 by a narrow margin.
Common Council Approved 2025 Budget Without Firefighter Positions
In a related recent development, the Marshfield Common Council recently approved the recommended 2025 city budget. Notably, the budget did not include the two firefighter positions requested by the fire department, leaving the proposed referendum as the only viable option for securing this funding.
The public will have an opportunity to weigh in on the city’s 2025 budget at a public hearing scheduled for November 26, 2024.
Public Outreach and Community Engagement
Chief Mueller indicated that the next steps involve a collaborative effort with City staff to engage the community and build support for the referendum. This will include holding information sessions and reaching out to civic groups to explain the critical need for the additional staffing.
“We need to ensure public support,” Chief Mueller stated. “Staff will need to hold hearing sessions and reach out to civic groups throughout the community over the next few months.” The Chief also noted that the previous referendum failed by a very slim margin, and he believes that focusing on a smaller, more targeted request this time could yield better results.
The Chief also addressed concerns about response times and fire safety standards, referencing national benchmarks that call for minimum staffing levels to effectively handle various emergency situations. He noted that the department has seen a steady increase in call volume since 2000, despite only modest increases in staffing over the years.
Next Steps
With the Commission’s unanimous support, Chief Mueller will now present the referendum proposal to the Common Council on November 26 for further consideration. The Council’s decision will play a crucial role in determining whether Marshfield residents will have the opportunity to vote on the issue in April.
The Marshfield community will continue to see outreach efforts from the fire department in the coming months as they seek to educate voters on the importance of this referendum.
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Author: News Desk
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