The Western Lakes Fire District Fire Board is set to hear a findings report into the district’s operational needs next week.
The findings, compiled by Mueller Communications, are expected to guide the district as it considers whether to ask residents for a referendum or to take a different approach to solve reported staffing woes.
The findings will be presented during a 6 p.m. meeting on Wednesday, March 9, according to Fire Board member Jeff Roemer. The agenda was not posted on the district’s website as of Tuesday evening. According to WLFD Chief Bradley Bowen, a major problem within the district are its insufficient funds to pay for a full-time and in-house staff, and that leads to longer lags in response times. A potential referendum could ask taxpayers for increased funding, but Bowen declined to say how much the district would need.