Marshfield Common Council Approves Public Safety Referendum for April 4th Ballot

Wednesday, January 25th, 2023 -- 12:00 PM

The City of Marshfield’s Public Safety Referendum will appear on the April Ballot.

The Marshfield Common Council approved the resolution that will put the question on the 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.

The first would see the hiring and retaining of nine firefighters and paramedics, one police officer, one 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.

This resolution will now appear on the ballot and a consulting firm will run a publicity campaign to educate the public. Along with that, the Council did approved working with consulting firm Miller Communications from Milwaukee to run the education campaign for the referendum. The total cost of the package comes to $43,000. The money will come from either the contingency fund or the general fund.

The Board also approved the first reading of an ATV/UTV ordinance for the City of Marshfield. This ordinance will establish routes in Marshfield. Routes most posted regarding where the vehicles can travel as well as where they’d be prohibited. There will be $17,000 for route signage.

There is no budgeted monies for this, so a budget resolution would be needed. It was recommended that ARPA funding should be used. If the second reading is approved at the next meeting, they would like the ordinance to go into effect on April 1st. This will give them time for signage and a publicity campaign.

The Board also approved the first reading of the electric vehicle parking ordinance. In September of last year, the Engineering Division began working with Wheelers Chevrolet GMC Of Marshfield to purchase 5 EV Chargers and the Marshfield Utility Commission to finance the construction of infrastructure necessary to erect EV chargers and make any ADA improvements.

The locations of the charges include Wildwood Zoo, in which they’re installed and operational; the Reading Parking lot west of Community Center, in which they’re Installed; Central Parking Lot, in which they’re Installed; Bream Park, in which they’re installed and operational; and SJ Miller Park, in which they’re installed and operational.

The changes to this ordinance would be making sure that parking spaces for the EV charging stations remain open for EV vehicles. The Board also approved Vacating Megan’s Circle, which is needed for the Veterans Parkway Subdivision. The subdivision was also approved by the Council. This subdivision is looking at building 13 duplex lots and the development of Megan’s Circle as a cul-de-sac.

The Council also approved the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. This will pay capital costs and reimbursement expenditures to receive funds from the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program. This is administered by the DNR and provides assistance for water infrastructure projects.

The Council also approved to appoint Nick Poeschel to replace Adam Fischer to the Economic Development Board, approved Kim Frederick as the Planning Commission Representative to the Historic Preservation Commission, and approved allowing a council member to attend a financial conference.

The Council also heard a 5-year financial update. The good news is that the city was able to bring up their bond rating from A1 to AA3, their TIF Districts are doing well, and their general fund is doing much better.

The bad news is that in regards to levy limits and net construction and if the City of Marshfield keeps going the way they are, Marshfield may have to cut $715,000 from next year’s budget and $1.3 million by 2025. If this continues, Marshfield will have no money by 2027.

The Board also heard a presentation regarding the Carpenters Training Institute. They’re looking at building a facility in Marshfield’s Business Park. They provide hands-on training and apprenticeships for aspiring carpenters.

Finally, it was mentioned that the City’s new Utilities Review Committee may have their first meeting soon.

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