Marshfield Common Council to Discuss Public Safety Referendum at Tuesday's Meeting

Monday, January 23rd, 2023 -- 12:00 PM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) Marshfield residents will find out on Tuesday if they will vote on a $1.13 million public safety referendum which would allow the city to fully staff its police and fire departments.

According to Mike Leischner of WSAU, Mayor Lois TeStrake says their current staffing simply isn't sustainable. "Because we have so many calls, so this will help to eleviate some of the overtime for the firefighters and paramedics that are there because they share the duties."

She says even with talk of increased shared revenue in Madison, the proposal needs to be considered by voters as a way to guarantee staffing next year. "So, if it comes on the ballot and it passes in April of 2023 effective January 1st. That's when this will actually happen. So, we need to do it now for public safety."

She says as a matter of public safety. They can't afford to wait to see what kind of increased revenue may come from the state later this year, as the city's call volume has gone up significantly in the last year. "I can't believe how many more calls we've had. A couple weeks ago, they had all five ambulances out. And this happens 3 or 4 times."

The city council will consider the referendum question tomorrow, which is the deadline to get the matter on the April ballot. If approved it would allow the city to hire nine firefighters, a police officer, and extra workers for the records division.

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