Finance Committee approves police union contract, special-assessment appropriation and ambulance purchase funding

The West Bend Finance Committee on Jan. 6 approved three actions: a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the West Bend Police Protective Association, a resolution authorizing appropriation of special-assessment revenue for the next phase of the 18th Avenue (Paradise to Vogt Drive) reconstruction, and a resolution to appropriate funds to purchase a used ambulance from the Kewaston Fire Department.

On the police contract, a staff presenter said the three-year agreement includes wage increases for each contract year and adjusted language on shift change by seniority and other clarifications requested by the police chief. The presenter said the contract places police wages in line with other public-safety unions and ensures salaries are at or slightly above median comparables in surrounding communities. The committee motioned and approved the contract by voice vote.

The committee also approved a resolution to authorize appropriation of special-assessment revenue so the finance department can receive funds for the second phase of the 18th Avenue project (Paradise to Vogt Drive). A department representative (Max) explained the appropriation allows the funds to be recorded in a single account to receive payments tied to the project’s assessment revenue.

Finally, the committee approved a resolution to appropriate funds for the purchase of a used ambulance from the Kewaston Fire Department. Fire department leadership said the city currently operates four ambulances and that buying the used 2020/2021 chassis ambulance would increase the fleet to five units, add a second four-wheel-drive unit and provide operational consistency because the unit layout closely matches the city’s existing rigs. The presenter said a negotiated price of $300,000 was reached and that a used ambulance, at that price with equipment added, compares favorably to a new ambulance (estimated near $400,000–$500,000 when equipment is included). Committee members asked questions about fleet size, four-wheel-drive capability and potential conflicts of interest; the chief and members said the ambulance purchase was unrelated to mutual-aid consolidation and the unit was purchased because it was available and operationally compatible.

All three items passed on voice votes with no opposed votes recorded on the public transcript.

Votes at a glance - Collective bargaining agreement with West Bend Police Protective Association — Motion to approve (mover: Alderman Allen; second: Alderman Bergquist). Outcome: approved by voice vote. Details: three-year contract; wage increases each year; language updates on shift-change seniority and related clarifications. - Resolution authorizing appropriation of special-assessment revenue for 18th Avenue (Paradise to Vogt Drive) second phase — Motion to approve (mover: Alderman Allen; second: Alderman Butchlich). Outcome: approved by voice vote. Details: appropriates assessment receipts to a single account to accept phase-two funds. - Resolution appropriating funds to purchase used ambulance from Kewaston Fire Department — Motion to approve (mover: Alderman Allen; second: Alderman Bergquist). Outcome: approved by voice vote. Details: negotiated purchase price $300,000; unit described as a 2020 chassis delivered in 2021 with ~40,000 miles, diesel engine, 4WD; raises fleet from four to five ambulances.

The committee discussion emphasized operational readiness and fiscal prudence in choosing a used, layout-compatible ambulance rather than immediately purchasing a new unit. The presenters said no city borrowing was required for the contract or the appropriation actions described on the record.