Resolutions
Important Dates
- 9/23/2024 Information Session Powerpoint Presentation
- Town Elector Meeting: Monday, October 7th at 7pm
Emergency Medical Service, or EMS, personnel primarily respond to 9-1-1 calls requiring emergency medical treatment and possibly ambulance transportation to definitive care. All EMS personnel are certified by the State of Wisconsin and required to pass written and practical exams to become licensed and are required to attend continuing education to maintain their certification.
The level of EMS service can be Basic Life Support provided by Emergency Medical Technicians or Advanced Life Support provided by Paramedics. Both levels offer transportation to the hospital; however, Paramedics can provide advanced medical procedures and administration of medication for cardiac emergencies, difficulty breathing, pain management, and many other medical conditions.
The Linn Fire department started in 1949, and joined with the Emergency Medical Services department in 2006. The department was a fully volunteer, paid-on-call department. On average, the department had 25-30 members who mostly lived and worked in or near the Linn community. The department was adequately staffed to respond to calls for services in an EMS or Fire emergency.
The Town has been facing significant challenges in providing emergency medical services and responding to fire calls due to the difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified volunteers. The training requirements are demanding for an Advanced EMT or Paramedic, and certification is difficult to attain. Additionally, the Town is receiving more EMS calls due to an aging and growing population. The department has six consistently active members, and most are only available for 1-4 calls per month. Only one member is a licensed Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, which is required to provide Basic Life Support. The Town does not have any Paramedics to provide Advanced Life Support.
In 2021, the Town began contracting with the City of Lake Geneva, who already served Linn on the north shore of Geneva Lake, to provide two emergency medical services personnel stationed at the Linn Firehouse from Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The partnership resulted in improved response times, more consistent responses, and increases in terms of the level of care provided. During periods of contractual staff coverage in Linn, Lake Geneva EMS staff responded to the majority of emergency calls in less than 10 minutes in non-rural areas, and 15 minutes in rural areas. While the above-mentioned staffing has been beneficial, the Town continues to experience challenges with providing EMS coverage. Between April 2021 – August 2022, Lake Geneva staff responded to EMS calls within 10 minutes 83% of the time, while Linn members responded within 10 minutes just 34% of the time.
Last year, the Town hired a consultant, Public Administration Associates, LLC (PAA), to conduct a comprehensive study and analysis to assist the Town in making future decisions concerning Fire/EMS staffing, vehicle and apparatus needs, and facilities. The study, which included input from Town Fire/EMS members, reviewed three staffing models:
After reviewing the study, response times, quality of care, cost options, and discussing all viable options with current Linn fire department officers and staff, the Town Board voted to approve a short-term agreement with the City of Lake Geneva to provide 24/7 professional Fire/EMS personnel for the current year. The agreement achieves the following:
The Town does not have adequately qualified staff who are available to fill the positions. Out of the 14 Linn Fire/EMS members interviewed by PAA, only 3 reported they are available to respond to calls both weekdays and weekends. A stand-alone department would require a rotation of 10 full-time staff members, and additional staff due to paid time off. Since the 2023 Study, over half of members resigned from the department due to lack of availability. PAA estimated it would take at least 12 months to implement, and a minimum of another 2 months with paramedic level services. After the positions are filled, the Town could expect an additional 12 months in training, and approximately $50,000 in training expenses. For the initial 24 - 26 months, the Town would face significant challenges responding to emergency calls for services. Any vacancies could have serious consequences, and staff turnover would require ongoing training and certification costs. If the City of Lake Geneva does not serve the north side of Linn, then the Town would have to consider constructing a new satellite station. Assuming the Town could acquire sufficient land, which would be extremely challenging, PAA estimates the cost to be at least $3M in land acquisition and construction costs, $1.4M apparatus costs, and annual staffing at $1.2M.The study concluded that the contractual Fire/EMS staffing coverage model will result in an operating savings of at least $111,991 per year, a potential capital apparatus savings of $1.65M to $1.85M over 3-5 years, and even more if you consider cost avoidance for a north shore satellite station.
The Town borrowed $1.5M to cover the costs of 24/7 Lake Geneva staffing through the end of 2024. This past January, the Town repaid the full loan, plus interest, using property tax funds and did not incur any long-term debt.
The Town’s only funding options are borrowing, levying a tax, or charging for services. The Town charges fees to patients for EMS services based on level of care and transportation to the Hospital. Total annual charge fee revenue covers approximately 1/2 of one full-time position. If the Town were to increase EMS fees, then the Town’s EMS fee schedule would likely be the highest amongst municipalities around the lake, and only cover minimal staffing expenses. If the Town were to continue borrowing, then Linn property tax dollars will be utilized to cover volatile interest rates for debt services. The most cost-effective and best solution is to incorporate Fire/EMS contractual services into the Town’s property tax levy.
The Town is requesting to include contractual Fire/EMS staffing in the Town’s tax levy to reduce borrowing costs while ensuring the Town continues providing 24/7 Fire/EMS Services.
Approval of this resolution will support the Town’s goal of reaching a long-term agreement with the City of Lake Geneva to continue providing Linn residents with reliable and quality fire and emergency medical services.
According to the PAA Study, a paid-on-call volunteer department is not a viable option. Few members are consistently available both weekdays and weekends, and only one active member is a certified Advanced EMT. It is imperative for the Town to provide reliable, quality, efficient, and cost-effective Fire/EMS services to the Linn community. After reviewing call response data, budget and cost considerations, and professional recommendations from PAA, the Linn Town Board unanimously voted to contract with the City of Lake Geneva to provide 24/7 Fire/EMS services through the end of the year. If the vote for permanent staffing coverage fails, then the Town will consider continuing to borrow to cover contractual Fire/EMS staffing. While borrowing will result in higher costs for Linn taxpayers, the Town must fulfill its responsibility to maintain consistency and continuity in terms of the level of care provided.
The total annual cost is $1,900,000. For example, a home with an assessed value of $1M in year 2024, and $1.7M in year 2025 after revaluation, the Linn portion of the tax bill will increase by approximately 18%. The estimated annual tax increase is $489.26, or $1.34 per day.The tax bill increase is also due to a $2M loan to be repaid in 2025 for the following items:
* Fire mini-pumper to access narrow roads and driveways
* Improved roads, drainage, and bridges
* Replacement of the Highway bucket truck
* Replacement of the storm sirens
* Equipment replacement for emergency responders.Here is a full breakdown of the example and the Town's proposed 2025 calendar year tax levy.
Yes. The Linn fee schedule is available here. The Town receives Fire/EMS calls for services from both property owners and non-property owners in Linn. The fee revenue mainly covers emergency medical services and calls to vehicle accidents, and are billed to health insurance providers. This is standard practice for municipal Fire/EMS operations. Most of the revenue to cover Fire/EMS services is from property taxes.
Questions? Please contact Administrator Jim Hurley at admin@townoflinn.wi.gov.
