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Waunakee board authorizes consultant to guide possible withdrawal from joint fire district
Summary
After reviewing an operational study and a prior resolution to give notice to withdraw from the Waunakee Area Fire District, the Village Board authorized a contract with McMahon Associates to guide asset valuation, transition steps and workforce issues; the board said the goal is to protect volunteer firefighters and maintain service continuity.
The Waunakee Village Board on July 22 authorized the village administrator to contract with McMahon and Associates to provide fire management council services as the village explores withdrawing from the Waunakee Area Fire District and establishing a village fire department.
The village previously passed a notice-to-withdraw resolution in February; that notice initiates a multi-step process under the operating agreement between the district members and could lead to withdrawal effective Jan. 1, 2027 if the parties follow the agreement’s timeline. Village staff said they lack the in-house capacity and legal and operational expertise to run the full transition and recommended hiring an outside firm to guide steps including asset valuation, identification of liabilities, ordinance revisions, personnel and commission changes, and state reporting transitions.
Robert Whitaker of McMahon Associates, who presented the proposal, told the board the work is intended to transition the existing, primarily volunteer, paid-on-call workforce to a village department where feasible, not to create an immediate full-time fire department. "This is not about starting a full time fire department," Whitaker said, adding the firm would help preserve volunteer capacity "as long as possible." The proposal is billed hourly and was presented in three phases: asset valuation and obligations; ordinance and policy updates; and execution of the transfer and records transition.
Board members emphasized inclusion of current volunteer firefighters in the process and urged protections for their training and retention. Chief McWilliams said the department wants to remain involved and asked that the village work with neighboring municipalities where possible. Board members also discussed the option to seek multiple proposals but noted McMahon’s prior operational assessment work for the village.
Action taken: The board voted to authorize the village administrator to execute a contract with McMahon Associates for fire management council services. The motion passed by voice vote; the meeting minutes record "motion carries." The board did not set a fixed total contract cap at the meeting; several trustees asked staff to return if the consultant’s billed hours approach a higher estimate.
Next steps: McMahon will work with village staff, volunteers and chiefs to scope the phased work and produce cost/time estimates; staff indicated the Community Development Authority and legal counsel will be part of subsequent steps where needed.
