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Marshfield fire chief outlines April 1 referendum to fund two firefighter-paramedic positions
Summary
Fire Chief Everett Mueller updated the City of Marshfield Common Council on an April 1 referendum that would raise $256,903 to hire and retain two firefighter-paramedics, restoring staffing to 2021 levels; staff held listening sessions and will hold a final session March 27.
Fire Chief Everett Mueller told the City of Marshfield Common Council on March 25 that the city is asking voters on April 1 to approve $256,903 to hire and retain two firefighter-paramedics, which the department says would restore staffing to 2021 levels with 12 firefighters per shift.
Mueller said city staff has held public listening sessions and media outreach about the referendum, and encouraged attendance at a final community session scheduled for March 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the community center. "We're gonna be asking for $256,903 to hire and retain 2 firefighter paramedics, which will return the fire department to 2021 staffing levels with 12 firefighters per shift," Mueller said.
Why it matters: Mueller said the additional positions would increase the department's ability to respond to concurrent emergency calls and otherwise improve public safety response. He told the council the referendum question language comes from the state and is prescribed by the legislature; the city cannot change that wording.
Mueller addressed a common question about who would pay if the referendum passes, saying the levy would be based on the assessed value of all property types — residential, commercial and industrial — at a rate the chief described as $13.28 per $100,000 of assessed value. He also said a mailed flyer that referenced residents likely caused confusion because it targeted residential mailings.
Mueller summarized recent outreach: a listening session at Hotel Marshfield on March 13 attended by two members of the public, visits to residential locations with 25–27 attendees at each, and multiple news stories and social media posts that produced thousands of views on one video posted by city channels. He credited Commissioner Panker with joining some outreach visits and answering commission-level questions.
The presentation was informational; no council action was taken at the meeting. Mueller closed by saying he was available for follow-up questions.
