Delafield council reviews Lake Country Fire & Rescue amendment to fund full‑time staffing; no final vote

The City of Delafield Common Council on Sept. 15 reviewed a proposed amendment to the Lake Country Fire & Rescue (LCFR) intermunicipal agreement intended to fund a transition to a largely full‑time fire department by hiring 12 firefighters over four years. Mayor Eicher and city staff outlined the staffing plan and changes to the funding formula; no final approval was taken.

The amendment presented to the council would fund 12 hires (three per year over four years) and shift the city’s cost share down by about 10 percent of the current relative burden by changing how costs are allocated among partner municipalities. City staff described the new formula as based on three factors—property value, population and call volume—and said the change is meant to make the formula simpler and more explainable to taxpayers.

Why it matters: Council members said the change targets a staffing shortage LCFR has faced for years and aims to reduce “brownouts” (periods when the local station is understaffed and unable to respond). The amendment, if adopted,…