Wauwatosa committee approves amended term sheet to pursue joint fire department with West Allis

Wauwatosa 'The Government Affairs Committee voted Tuesday to advance an amended term sheet that sets the framework for a proposed joint fire department between Wauwatosa and West Allis, moving the communities a step closer to filing a joint innovation grant application.

The committee's approval, which will be forwarded to the common council, includes two amendments: the municipal representative on the new board will be chosen by a vote of the common council (rather than defaulting to the council president), and the agreement will include an annual cost-share review with a 5% variance threshold to trigger a review or adjustment. Committee member (speaker 6) moved the motion and the committee approved it by voice vote.

The term sheet is not a final merger vote; staff and the presenters repeatedly described it as guidance that will be incorporated into later legal agreements, including a chapter 181 nonstock corporation intergovernmental agreement, bylaws, a service contract and a staffing agreement. Attorney Tate told the committee the cities will file a joint innovation grant application with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, and that "the 115% growth is on the payment for service, not the joint fire department budget." (Attorney Tate)

Why it matters: The term sheet unlocks the ability to submit the innovation grant application by the March 31 deadline. Staff said the grant could provide multi-year payments that would offset short-term costs and help finance capital needs; presenters estimated the grant could yield substantial funds but cautioned awards are competitive and not guaranteed.

Public concerns and staff answers: Several residents and alderpersons urged caution. Margaret Fritsch, a Wauwatosa resident of more than 30 years, said, "Why are you guys pushing this so quickly?" and pressed what would happen if the grant failed or ended after five years. Russ Drover, another resident, asked whether the arrangement would reduce Wauwatosa's local control, saying, "I feel that our sovereignty is at risk in decision making."

Staff responded on multiple points: Jim Archambault said mutual aid within Milwaukee County is currently nonreimbursed and would remain so for mutual aid within the new entity, and he offered examples of potential savings from eliminating duplicate equipment. Archambault also laid out the funding mathematics staff used to estimate tax impacts, saying the difference in later years could be about "$5.10 per household" on average if the upper caps are used.

Process and timeline: Attorney Tate and staff said the legal drafts in the committee packet remain works in progress and that, if the councils direct staff to proceed, contract documents will be refined in January and February with the aim of submitting signed legal documents with the March 31 grant application. Staff said the joint department would be expected to be operational by 06/01/2026 to qualify for payments and that full operational transition is anticipated in early 2027, subject to bargaining and other requirements.

What's next: The committee's recommendation will go to the full common council for consideration. If the councils approve the legal documents, staff will continue drafting contract exhibits and negotiating labor arrangements; the committee and staff emphasized many operational details (union bargaining, facilities, and dispatch integration) remain to be finalized.