Fitchburg, WI Fitch-Rona EMS Commission 6-18-26

The Fitch-Rona EMS Commission held a meeting on June 18, 2026, focusing primarily on operational updates, budget discussions, and procurement-related approvals. The commission approved previous meeting minutes and reviewed the chief's report, which highlighted increased call volumes, ambulance state inspections, and ongoing union arbitration. Financial matters included approval of accounts payable checks and a resolution to allocate up to $88,328 from unassigned funds for postretirement healthcare payouts. The commission also discussed and approved the district's check signing authority, nominating Alder Leper as an authorized signer for checks over $5,000. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing the preliminary 2027 budget, which included a 3% wage increase for represented employees, increased funding for part-time paramedics, and a proposed doubling of the medical director fee to secure additional physician support. The commission deliberated on the value and justification of this increased medical direction expense. No final budget approval occurred, as the budget will be reviewed further with municipalities before finalization.