WAUSAU − Voters decided April 7 to continue funding the Wausau Fire Department at its current level.
In January, the Wausau Common Council approved letting voters decide whether they wanted to pay for 12 firefighters currently being funded by a grant that is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026.
Property tax limits won’t allow city officials to pay for the 12 positions and stay under the state-imposed limit. The $1.4 million addition means the owner of a $100,000 house would pay about $36 a year in additional taxes. Since 1970, calls for service have increased by more than 337%, while staffing has increased by only 16%. This widening gap places increasing strain on emergency response resources.
The increase in taxes to pay for the 12 firefighters will start with the 2027 budget. The referendum does not have an end date.
Contact Karen Madden kmadden@usatodayco.com. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33.
This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Wausau voters narrowly approve referendum to pay for 12 firefighters
Reporting by Karen Madden, Wausau Daily Herald / Wausau Daily Herald
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