Wauwatosa committee reviews term sheet for proposed joint fire department with West Allis, defers formal vote

Wauwatosa — The Government Affairs Committee on Nov. 12 reviewed a draft executive summary and term sheet outlining the creation of a joint fire department to be formed by the cities of Wauwatosa and West Allis. City Administrator James Archambault told aldermen the document is iterative and staff are seeking committee feedback rather than a vote.

The item matters because a joint fire department could change how the cities levy property taxes and make them eligible for a new state “innovation grant” aimed at consolidating public‑safety services. Archambault and City Attorney Jennifer Tate said the proposed legal vehicle is a non‑stock corporation under Wisconsin Chapter 181, with intergovernmental service agreements and a separate board of directors proposed to include the mayor, council president and city administrator from each municipality.

At the meeting, Fire Chief Case outlined six initial performance measures staff will monitor monthly — including call‑processing time, total response time, fire‑spread containment, fire inspections, fire‑related deaths and workplace injuries — “so we can measure that” and ensure services stay the same or improve, he said. City Finance Director…