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New Berlin officials outline proposal for ongoing public-safety levy to shore up police and fire staffing
Summary
City officials presented a proposal to place an ongoing public-safety levy referendum on the ballot to address projected police retirements and fire-department staffing shortfalls, including a fire request for 12 additional personnel and a projected $127.05 annual tax impact on an average home by 2031.
City of New Berlin officials on Aug. 14 presented a plan to ask residents to approve a permanent public-safety levy increase aimed at addressing projected retirements in the police department and long-running staffing shortfalls in the fire department.
Mayor Heemann opened the special Committee of the Whole meeting saying the purpose was to provide “clear, consistent information” about a proposed public-safety levy-limit referendum to cover future police and fire needs and to give the council and public time to weigh options. Staff has posted supporting documents on a Budget Hub on the city website, the mayor said.
Police staffing concerns: the department that presented staffing data said the force currently stands at roughly 70 sworn officers, of whom 28 were hired since 2020. The police presentation flagged an expected wave of retirements over the next several years and noted that recruits can take up to 10 months of training before operating independently. The presentation identified three priorities: (1)…
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