The Beaver Dam Common Council approved moving ahead with a referendum to ask voters whether to approve funding six new firefighter/paramedic staff positions in the fire department.
Fire department staff and officials have been lobbying for a referendum for months, saying that the new positions are necessary for firefighters and EMS staffers to respond safely and effectively to emergencies as the city grows and its population ages. The referendum, to be on the November ballot, will ask voters whether they support levying a 44 cent property tax increase per $1,000 value of a home, or about $66 on the value of a $150,000 house. “I will be knocking on death’s door if I don’t get the help that I need,” said resident Charlotte Toth. “It’s time for the city to step up and let the people decide how the tax dollars are spent for the fire department.”