What Marshfield voters need to know about a $1.1M public safety referendum

Correction: Because of state-imposed caps on how much municipalities can increase property taxes, Marshfield found during its budget process toward the end of 2022 that its could only increase the tax levy by 0.554%. The percentage of the tax levy increase was incorrect in a previous version of this story.

MARSHFIELD ? On April 4, the city will ask voters to consider a referendum approving increased property taxes to pay for needed staff in the Marshfield police and fire departments.

During the budget process toward the end of 2022, the city found state-imposed caps on how much municipalities can increase property taxes meant the city could only increase the tax levy by 0.554%. The limit, along with inflation, meant the city had to cut expenses to balance the budget.

"The city is in a tough spot," Police Chief Jody Geurink told the Marshfield News-Herald in December.

To balance the budget, the city had to cut 4% of each department's budget for 2023. Because of this, the police and fire departments indicated they'd have to make serious cuts to services. To counteract the budget shortfalls and prevent decreases in services, a public safety referendum was proposed asking voters to approve an estimated $1.1 million annual increase to the tax levy.

What will voters be asked to approve?

If the referendum is approved, the extra money would pay for hiring nine firefighter/paramedics, one police officer, one police department records specialist and one administrative assistant whose time would be split between the two departments.

During the past decade, Marshfield Fire and Rescue's staffing has remained the same. During the same decade, the calls for service have increased by 55%, according to city information. About 25% of calls come in more than one at a time, making it difficult to respond to every call in a timely manner. If the referendum is approved, it will allow the fire department to fill three positions that were left vacant in 2022, plus add six new positions.

The fire department already had cut the three positions in 2022 because the Emergency Medical Services Enterprise Fund had come up short of projections. The fund is from payments made to the department for its services.

The previous administration had overestimated money coming into the fund and underestimated the delinquent payments, Marshfield Fire Chief Pete Fletty told the News-Herald in December. Medicaid and Medicare payments are not enough to cover the cost of responding to an ambulance call, Fletty said.

The budget cuts for 2023 in the Marshfield Police Department prevented the department from replacing positions caused by resignations in 2022. It has meant the department has less time to carry out non-emergency duties.

The loss of a retired records specialist is a problem for the department because the person in the position types up reports submitted to the Wood County District Attorney's Office so charges can be filed.

How much will the referendum cost taxpayers?

The state limits the amount Marshfield can tax residents for 2024 at about $15.8 million. The city needs about $16.9 million to cover the needs of the fire and police departments, according to information provided by the city. The $1.1 million referendum would add an additional $78.45 per year in city taxes for someone who owns a home valued at $100,000, starting with the bills issued in December 2023. The increase would continue in subsequent years.

What happens if the referendum fails?

The issue isn't unique to Marshfield. Police and fire departments across the state are struggling to meet the needs of growing communities. The Marshfield departments have worked to meet the needs of the community by looking for areas to cut costs, collaborating with groups outside the departments and prioritizing services.

If the referendum fails, the city will have to make difficult decisions about how to deal with the growing need for public safety services, according to the city. It would have a negative effect on safety in Marshfield as calls for service outpace the number of available staff.

Both the fire and police departments have worked and will continue to work to get grants to help pay for the positions.

Where can I get more information about the referendum?

The city is holding informational meetings at 6:30 p.m. March 15 at Hotel Marshfield and at 6:30 p.m. March 23 in the Campus Connector hallway (between the Science and STEM buildings) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at Marshfield Campus.

The city also has additional information available on its website at ci.marshfield.wi.us/referendum.

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Contact Karen Madden at 715-345-2245 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @KMadden715, Instagram @kmadden715 or Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen.madden.33.

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This article originally appeared on Marshfield News-Herald: What Marshfield voters need to know about a public safety referendum