Town of Holland applies for state planning grant to study regional fire protection; Onalaska to participate
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Summary
Council heard an informational update that the Town of Holland applied for a Department of Revenue Innovation Planning Grant to study regional fire protection across several municipalities; the study would be cost‑free to participating jurisdictions and could open access to additional state funds if it demonstrates efficiency gains.
During the March 17 meeting City staff informed the Common Council that the Town of Holland has applied to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for an Innovation Planning Grant to fund a regional study of fire protection services involving the City of Onalaska, Town of Onalaska, Village of Holmen, and Town of Holland.
The grant program and purpose: City staff said the Department of Revenue program includes a planning‑grant component intended to examine possible efficiencies in municipal services; SEH and city staff described the grant as a no‑cost study opportunity for Onalaska. The application is part of a larger state program with available funds for implementation if a study identifies demonstrable cost‑savings.
Details provided in the presentation: - The program was described as part of Act 12’s Department of Revenue Innovation Funding; consultants said the overall program has broad funding and that about $3 million was initially carved out for planning studies of the sort under discussion. - The planning grant is available to smaller municipalities (consultants said the carve‑out was for municipalities with populations of 5,000 and under for that planning tranche). The Town of Holland led the application process. - If the planning study identifies at least a 10% cost savings through consolidation or shared services, jurisdictions could be eligible to apply for additional implementation funding from the larger program pool.
City Administrator Pete Floody (presenting the information item) told the council: "The study won't cost us anything. It's not our study," and added that Onalaska staff would be asked to provide information if the grant is approved.
Council members asked clarifying questions; no formal council action was taken on the item. SEH and staff characterized the grant application as an opportunity to explore shared regional service options that could reduce duplication of resources and potentially unlock state implementation funds if the study shows savings.
Ending: The application is pending; council members and staff said they would participate should the grant be awarded and the study proceed.