Marshfield Common Council Takes Next Steps for Public Safety Referendum

Wednesday, January 11th, 2023 -- 12:00 PM

The Marshfield Common Council took the next steps to put a public safety referendum for the city on the April 4th ballot.

Back in December, the Marshfield Police and Fire Commission came up with two options to present to the public on hiring and retaining staff members for the Fire Department and Police Department to mitigate the effects of the increased calls the City has seen over the years.

During that meeting, the Commission came up with two options for the Common Council to consider to put on the ballot. The first would see the hiring and retaining of nine firefighters and paramedics, one police officer, on records specialist for the Police Department, and a shared administrative associate for the Police and Fire Department, plus equipment.

The other option would be to hire six firefighters and paramedics right away and then hire three more the following year, plus the items mentioned in the first option. However, after doing some research, the City Administrator found that the second option is not allowed by state statute.

Hiring six firefighters and paramedics and then three later would need to be two separate referendums. This would give individuals new to the community an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns. Therefore, the Council agreed to only look at option one.

It was also made clear by members of the Council, and others, that of the nine firefighters being hired, three of them would be filling positions that have been vacant in the Fire Department and the City has been unable to fill due to budget constraints as well as the one new officer being hired.

The remaining six firefighters hired would get the Department closer to standards expected when responding to a call. The overall cost of the package is $1.13 million, which would increase Marshfield’s mill rate of 10.58 by another .78. For a $100,000 home that would be an increase of $78.45.

The Council did approve moving forward with creating the wording for the resolution and they will vote on the item at their January 24th meeting. If it passes it will be placed on the ballot on the April 4th Elections.

The Council also voted to move forward with a Rail Study and Certified Site Process on some industrial acres in the city. With this, the City will receive assistance from the state for site development.

It would essentially lay the groundwork for future developments and the site would be highlighted on the state’s website and in a social media campaign. The cost to the City is $7,500 and the state would pick up $7,500.

The Council also approved to post the vacant seat on the Council due to Adam Fischer’s recent resignation. The Council also approved to have a joint meeting between the Council and the City’s Economic Development Board on a monthly basis to discuss housing needs in the City.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.