Mayville committee recommends 2027 fire budget after staff flags telecom, fuel coding and capital needs

Fire Department representative Jeff presented the proposed 2027 Fire Department budget and raised two items for further staff review: (1) a phone/internet line-item that was incorrectly consolidated and underreported in 2025 (2025 actuals were about $4,252 but the merged line showed $200), and (2) possible misallocation of fuel purchases where EMS fill-ups may have been billed to the fire budget. Jeff asked staff to run reports and correct coding before the final budget.

Jeff reviewed operational and capital items: wage increases and a paid-on-call holiday stipend (example $3/hour) were included in the proposal, and he supported restoring a third chief post that carries a modest annual stipend (~$1,000). He described maintenance and repair needs totaling roughly $40,000 for older rigs and set out a capital replacement plan for engines with a $600,000 listing and a proposed down payment of $400,000 to lock in pricing with manufacturers. "I'm happy with the numbers that are out there," Jeff said, and the committee voted to recommend the fire budget while placing the phone/internet and gasoline items on the "parking lot" for follow-up.