Town of Delafield referendum, Fire & Rescue funding approved

DELAFIELD, Wis. - Town of Delafield voters on Tuesday approved a referendum that will fund Lake Country Fire & Rescue services through 2030.

Fire department referendum

The backstory:

Voters were asked if the town should fund an additional $450,000 a year, through 2030, for Lake Country Fire & Rescue services. LCFR Chief Matthew Fennig said seven other communities the department serves approved the plan in May. 

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The fire chief said the $450,000 would provide the funds necessary to have 12 people on duty at all times. They'd operate out of three stations. The new staff members would be full-time positions. When openings were part-time, he said they were difficult to fill. 

If the referendum failed, Fennig said the town would have had to go through its budget and look for other things to cut to fund the fire department.

The increase in staff comes at a critical time. Fennig said June saw more water-related rescues than fires. 

Official statement

What they're saying:

In a statement Wednesday morning, Town Chair Edward Kranick wrote:

"Town of Delafield voters made a decisive investment in the future of Fire and EMS protection in our community. The referendum passed with 66.2% support—1,622 votes in favor and 829 opposed.

"This result reflects our residents’ strong commitment to maintaining dependable emergency services. Passage of the referendum will help Lake Country Fire & Rescue strengthen frontline staffing, reduce reliance on mandatory overtime, and ensure highly trained firefighter-paramedics remain available when our residents need them most.

"I am grateful to everyone who took the time to learn about the issue, ask thoughtful questions, and cast a ballot. I also want to thank our firefighters, paramedics, election workers, Town staff, and residents who helped inform the community throughout this process.

"The voters have placed their trust in us, and we have a responsibility to use these resources carefully, transparently, and exactly as promised. This vote will help protect the reliable emergency response our community depends upon—today and for years to come."

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