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Spring Grove board hears of 26% jump in Richmond fire contract; mayor pledges pre-budget meeting
Summary
Planning Commissioner Jeff Holthouse told the Spring Grove board that Richmond’s proposed 2026 fire protection contract is up 26%; Richmond Mayor Oler took the town’s budgeted amount to his finance committee and agreed to meet with Spring Grove before next year’s contract is finalized.
Planning Commissioner Jeff Holthouse told the Town of Spring Grove board on Dec. 9 that Richmond’s proposed 2026 fire protection contract represents a 26% increase over current costs and that Richmond’s finance committee approved the town’s budgeted 2026 amount.
"I spoke to Richmond city mayor regarding the 26% increase in the 2026 fire protection contract," Holthouse said, and he reported that "Mayor Oler took Spring Grove's budgeted 2026 amount before the finance committee and it was approved." Holthouse added that a new 2026 fire contract will be issued but has not yet been received.
AJ Sickmann, the town attorney, cautioned the board about the complexity of establishing new taxing mechanisms for a fire protection district. "[T]he difficulty and complexity of instilling new taxes for a fire protection district" means the board should pursue further discussion with the city before taking steps that would change tax structures, Sickmann said.
Why it matters: a 26% increase in a fire-protection contract can materially affect a small town’s budget and tax decisions. Holthouse said Mayor Oler committed to meeting with Spring Grove before next year’s contract is presented so both governments "can all be on the same page before budget season."
Board members did not take a final vote on any fire-district action at the meeting; Holthouse said he will share the new contract with the board when it is received and pursue intergovernmental discussions in the coming months.
The board’s next procedural step, as described in the meeting, is to await the formal 2026 contract from Richmond and then consider proposals and any needed budget adjustments at a future meeting.
