Fire chief reports midyear surplus but flags Station 2 steel delay and equipment needs

The fire department reported midyear finances showing projected revenues ‘‘Right now, projected revenues are coming in $82,938 over budget, which is a good number.’’ The chief told trustees payroll was running about $43,342 over budget for the year so far, excluding a SAFER grant payment the department expects to receive later in the year.

Chief outlined current EMS coverage and staffing: during daytime the district runs with four full‑time members and part‑time staff that start at 10 p.m., with options to staff either two paramedic ambulances 24/7 or one ambulance plus an engine. He said call volume stood at 1,014 through June and the department expects to exceed 2,000 calls by year end, which would be a record year.

On capital needs, the chief identified a mandatory purchase of 22 full sets of structural firefighting gear, budgeted at $104,302 for 2027, and highlighted aging apparatus and rising fuel costs as risks to the year‑end outlook. He also warned that Station 2 construction could be delayed because the structural steel, manufactured locally, has no confirmed delivery date: ‘‘it is being manufactured here in DeForest, but they're not communicating very well. As of yet, we do not have a delivery date.’’

Trustees asked about staffing and funding offsets. The chief said four SAFER‑grant positions will be funded at 75% federal support and that ending rent payments on Station 1 (about $140,000/year) would help absorb Station 2 operational costs once it opens. No formal board action was taken; the presentation will inform final 2027 budget deliberations.