Fire chief outlines levy cuts, paramedic shortage and proposed balance‑billing; committee approves two purchases

Chief Case and his command staff briefed the Financial Affairs Committee on Oct. 14 on the fire department’s 2026 operating and capital requests, staffing pressures and several revenue changes intended to meet a city levy‑reduction target.

Case said the department was given a levy reduction target of $511,000 for 2026. To achieve that, the department combined revenue increases, a reduction of one full‑time firefighter position and adjustments to fees. Major revenue items include new balance‑billing for ambulance transports (estimated $120,000 in revenue) and an increase in inspection and permitting fees (estimated $120,000). The department also cited an increase in state EMS funding (referred to during the meeting as Act 102) that will return roughly $150,000 to the department and is expected to offset about $95,000 of prior levy support.

On balance billing, Case described a policy change for Milwaukee County residents: after insurers and Medicare/Medicaid pay, the department will collect a capped out‑of‑pocket balance of up to $200 per ambulance transport for eligible plans. “Our current ambulance billing…