Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oconomowoc adopts regional fire facilities impact fee after Western Lakes study
Summary
Following a regional needs assessment, the council adopted an ordinance creating a Western Lakes Fire District impact fee (single-family $1,793.29; multi-family $896.65/unit; nonresidential $0.08–$0.12/sq ft) to help fund a proposed 15,000 sq ft satellite station estimated at $6.6 million; a memorandum of understanding sets cost-sharing across partner municipalities.
Oconomowoc’s Common Council voted June 16 to adopt a regional fire facilities impact fee after a presentation by Chief Brad Bowen of the Western Lakes Fire District and the district’s consultant McMahon Associates.
Chief Bowen summarized the 2025 needs assessment and impact‑fee study: the district projects roughly 13% population growth over 10 years and identified a 15,000‑square‑foot satellite station to help maintain current service levels as development occurs. The estimated present‑day cost for the facility and associated planning, land and contingency was $6.6 million; the study attributed 85% of a new station’s cost to future growth and recommended collection of impact fees from new development across participating municipalities.
Recommended fee schedule presented in the study and placed in the ordinance: single‑family or duplex building permits — $1,793.29; multi‑family (three or more units) — $896.65 per unit; nonresidential occupancies — $0.08–$0.12 per square foot. Bowen said fees would adjust annually with the CPI and that fees must be spent within eight years of collection per statutory requirements.
Council members asked about statutory compliance, which Bowen said had been reviewed by counsel and that funds would be kept in segregated accounts with accounting for interest and refund provisions if unused. The council also approved a memorandum of understanding among the district and participating municipalities to govern cost sharing for using collected fees.
The vote to adopt the ordinance and MOU recorded as a roll‑call 'Aye' majority; several partner municipalities had already adopted the measure. Council discussion noted the need to phase staffing increases tied to new facilities so operational costs are funded over time rather than all at once.
What happens next: If implemented in partner communities, fees would be collected at building permit issuance and held for public‑facilities capital costs specified in the ordinance; municipalities and the district will continue coordination on timing, land acquisition and staged staffing.
