Fitchburg EMS Commission sends 2027 budget proposal to municipalities, outlines phased staffing expansion

The Fitchburg EMS Commission voted July 16 to submit a 2027 budget proposal to the member municipalities that trims a proposed $33,000 increase for medical director fees and instead directs funds toward phased staffing expansions for daytime coverage.

Chief (staff member) said he met with municipal finance directors and adjusted the draft to keep the levy impact near a target guidance of roughly 4.6–4.7%. To expand daytime ambulance coverage affordably, the budget includes adding two peak‑time day shifts in a phased approach using limited‑term employees (LTEs) and then converting those shifts over time to permanent part‑time positions with benefits. The plan spreads hiring and costs over several years rather than creating a single full‑time truck with an immediate multi‑hundred‑thousand‑dollar staffing commitment.

The chief described apportionments under the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) using a three‑year average (population, call volume, equalized value), producing apportionment shares the chief listed (Fitchburg 63.6%; City of Verona 32.2%; Town of Verona 4.0%). Commissioners asked that the district solicit comparisons with neighboring communities and asked staff to consider using unassigned fund balance for one‑time pilot clinical direction in 2027; the chief said a time‑limited resolution could be explored.

The commission moved to approve the director’s submittal of the budget to member municipalities and approved it by voice vote. Staff said the submittal is not final adoption; municipalities will review the proposal as part of their budget processes.

Next steps: staff will share the revised budget worksheet with municipal finance counterparts and can return with options for one‑time use of unassigned fund balance if the commission wants a pilot clinical‑direction allocation.