By Kim McDarison
While referendum questions related to several topics will be decided by voters Tuesday, public safety and how to fund it is under consideration in several area communities.
EMS-related
In Jefferson County, voters heading to the polls in the town of Oakland will be asked:
“Shall the town of Oakland borrow funds in an amount not to exceed $3,140,000 for the public purpose of contributing its share of the cost of constructing and equipping an addition to and remodeling the existing building for the Cambridge Community Fire and EMS District, including acquiring the land located at 275 West Main Street Cambridge, Wisconsin and consisting of approximately 1.0 acre and completing related site improvements?”
The full cost of the proposed addition and remodel of the Cambridge Fire and EMS District firehouse is $6.3 million, according to information provided on the ballot.
In Cambridge, voters, too, will be asked if they would like to support the $6.3 million firehouse project.
Their referendum question reads: “Shall the village of Cambridge borrow funds in an amount not to exceed $1,640,000 for the public purpose of contributing its share of the cost of constructing and equipping an addition to and remodeling the existing building for the Cambridge Community Fire and EMS District, including acquiring the land located at 275 West Main Street, Cambridge, Wisconsin and consisting of approximately 1.0 acre and completing related site improvements?”
In Dane County, voters in the town of Christiana will also be asked if they support funding the proposed Cambridge Community Fire and EMS District $6.3 million firehouse. Their referendum question asks if the town should borrow funds in an amount not to exceed $1,280,000 for its contribution to the project.
In Fort Atkinson, rather than property improvements, a referendum question will ask voters to fund resources for additional EMS and police manpower. The question reads: “Under state law, the increase in the levy of the city of Fort Atkinson for the tax to be imposed for the next fiscal year, 2023, is limited to 0.349%, which results in a levy of $7,871,614. Shall the city of Fort Atkinson be allowed to exceed this limit and increase the levy for the next fiscal year, 2023, for the purpose of hiring six (6) full-time firefighter/advanced emergency medical technicians, six (6) full-time firefighter/paramedics and two (2) police officers, by a total of 9.774%, which results in a levy of $8,640,949, and on an ongoing basis, include the increase of $769,335 for each fiscal year going forward?”
Other referendum topics in Jefferson County
In Palmyra, voters will be asked to decide if ATVs and UTVs should be allowed to operate on town roads.
In the town of Watertown, voters will decide: “Shall the person holding the position of Town Treasurer in the Town of Watertown be appointed by the Town Board?”
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