Marshfield Police and Fire Commission Sends Referendum Options to City's Finance Committee for Approval

Friday, December 16th, 2022 -- 11:01 AM

The Marshfield Police and Fire Commission approved a possible referendum question to be sent to the Finance, Budget, and Personnel Committee at their meeting Thursday morning.

The City of Marshfield is considering a referendum that, if passed, would help provide personnel and equipment for the City’s Police and Fire Departments. Both departments’ equipment is good, but they need more staffing.

For example, standards say that at least fourteen people are needed for a structure fire. With the Fire Department’s elven personnel per shift, they don’t meet that standard. The Commission proposed sending forward three options for consideration.

For the Fire Department, the first option would add nine firefighters, plus turnout gear. The second option would add six firefighters, plus turnout gear. The third option would offer three firefights, plus turnout gear.

For the Police Department, this would give them one officer, a record specialist and a shared record specialist with the Fire Department. The larger option, with nine personnel would allow them to not have to ask for repeat referendums and it would allow them to meet the necessary standards of fourteen at a structure fire.

The Commission decided to send a referendum question providing two options. One calls for nine new firefighters, one police officer, a record specialist and a shared record specialist with the fire department plus equipment. The other calls for six new firefighters now, three at a later time, one police officer, a record specialist, and a shared record specialist plus equipment

The item was sent to the Finance, Budget, and Personnel Committee for approval. If approved by them, it would be sent to the Common Council. If approved by the Council, it would appear on the Spring Ballot.

In other matters, the Commission approved the retirement, reluctantly, of Pat Zeps as Assistant Police Chief and the promotion of Travis Esser to Assistant Police Chief, with the transition taking place in January.

They also received notification of the retirement of Records Specialist Deb Karl in February. The Commission also approved the Police Department to participate in the Law Enforcement Support Program for controlled equipment when it becomes available.

They also approve budget resolutions to make repairs to engine 2, which will be forwarded to the Budget Committee and Common Council for approval. They also approved LifeQuest for fire billing and approved the financial review schedule.

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