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Fire chief warns SAFER grant positions face 2027 funding cliff; referendum and grant extensions discussed
Summary
Fire Chief presented 2026 reductions and said 12 grant‑funded public safety positions (SAFER and ARPA) will require ongoing funding in 2027; staff outlined a possible referendum as the long‑term solution and said FEMA has opened an extension window for SAFER spending
Wausau Fire Chief (Chief Cops) told the Finance Committee Sept. 30 that the department’s budget reduces nonessential line items for 2026 but that 12 previously grant‑funded positions (nine SAFER grant positions plus three ARPA‑funded hires) will create a recurring funding gap starting in 2027 unless the city identifies a continuing revenue source.
Chief Cops summarized 2026 reductions — holding a vacant division chief position open, trimming administration, training and maintenance lines, and delaying some vehicle purchases — while noting revenue improvements such as an updated EMS billing rate that staff estimate could recover roughly $120,000 annually.
On the staffing cliff, finance staff presented a comparative analysis showing roughly $1.365 million in one‑time and grant funding supporting public‑safety positions in 2026 versus a projected recurring cost of roughly $1.5 million in 2027 (using a 7% inflation assumption for wages and benefits). Finance and fire leaders said the city can use one‑time sources for 2026 but will face a recurring gap near $1.2 million in 2027 if no ongoing revenue is secured.
Staff described three near‑term options: apply for a SAFER‑grant extension (FEMA has recently opened an extension window), pursue a local referendum to exceed levy limits (the earliest feasible election date would be April 7, 2026, with council action required by Jan. 27, 2026 to place a question on the ballot), or identify other ongoing revenues. Fire and finance staff noted that if FEMA grants are extended it could free ARPA interest and other temporary revenues for other uses in 2027.
No committee vote was taken on next steps; staff said they will continue to analyze options and timelines and return with recommendations to the finance committee and full council.
