Waunakee board votes to notify fire district of withdrawal and to create village fire department

The Waunakee Village Board voted unanimously to adopt a resolution giving notice of the village’s intent to withdraw from the Waunakee Area Fire District and adopted a separate resolution to begin creating the Village of Waunakee Fire Department.

The first resolution formally notifies the district that the village intends to withdraw; the operating agreement cited in discussion requires an 18‑month notice period before withdrawal becomes effective. The board and staff emphasized the vote starts a negotiation process with the other municipalities in the district, not an immediate disbanding of the district.

“Notice period for withdrawal from the district is 18 months,” staff member Brian said, describing the process in the operating agreement. Brian said the resolutions are the start of a process that often leads to further discussions among members about asset distribution, contracts and service arrangements.

The board’s discussion stressed the village’s intent to preserve and support volunteer firefighters. Robert McPherson said the second resolution — on creating a village fire department — includes provisions to continue improving the fire station the village already owns. “The second resolution actually calls for … doing the improvements to the building that we already own, immediately as opposed to waiting until we form our own fire department,” McPherson said.

Public commenters raised questions about reimbursements and asset distribution. Dave Lofemburg, who identified himself as chair from the town of Springfield, asked whether Springfield would be reimbursed for a $162,000 remodel it paid for in 2010 if the district is later disbanded or the village withdraws. Leon Zink, a town supervisor from Springfield, said the town believes it would be entitled to a 66% reimbursement of the valuation of apparatuses and the building if the district disbands, citing provisions that he said are in place for districts.

Board members and staff responded that the operating agreement includes mechanisms for compensation and that the village cannot unilaterally disband the district; the village is one of multiple member municipalities. Brian said that while the operating agreement sets a default process, members sometimes negotiate alternate arrangements that are mutually agreeable.

Board members urged ongoing, direct communication with the firefighters. Trustee Nyla Frey said she and other board members will work with firefighters and the fire‑district membership throughout the process. Mary Heinbecker, a resident who spoke during public comment, said she supports the resolution and that she has attended fire board meetings and believes Waunakee should take this step.

Both resolutions passed by voice vote with no opposition declared at the meeting. The village attorney and board members said next steps will include communicating the notice to the other municipalities, continuing discussions with the district membership and negotiating specifics such as asset valuation, contracts for services in neighboring towns and any transitional arrangements.

The board and staff repeatedly framed the action as the beginning of a multistep process rather than an immediate operational change. Officials said they expect further negotiation and that any final changes to service delivery, asset transfers, or contracts with neighboring towns will be subject to follow‑up agreements and, where required, additional approvals.