A report released Wednesday says more than $6 million in additional annual funding is needed to address reported staffing issues within the Western Lakes Fire District (WLFD), and the money could be raised by levying a wheel tax, holding a referendum or by cutting back on services. The WLFD's current budget is $6.8 million.
According to the report released by Mueller Communications, the WLFD requires a total of $6,309,105 in additional funding. That money would cover expenses for 33 more full-time firefighters/ paramedics, 15 internship positions, three battalion chiefs, a fire inspector and a full-time administrative assistant. The district said it cannot currently afford to fund more staff or pay enough to retain workers, even as calls for service increased 74% from 2017 to 2021 as the district's population has grown.