EFPD approved a Memorandum of Understanding that governs the process for potential EFPD membership. MOU will be presented to City of Milton and Towns of Milton, Harmony, Johnstown and Lima for approval
At last night’s meeting of the Edgerton Fire Protection District (EFPD) Board of Directors, the Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding that will guide the next step in exploring potential membership in EFPD by the petitioning communities: City of Milton, Towns of Milton, Harmony, Johnstown and Lima. The MOU will be considered by each community at upcoming meetings as they continue the exploration of potential membership in EFPD.
Leadership from the petitioning communities issued the following joint statement:
“We thank the Edgerton Fire Protection District Board of Directors for this important step in our continued discussions to ensure we can provide high-quality emergency fire and medical services to residents of municipalities across our region. Our communities look forward to providing EFPD with all necessary information as it evaluates our petition for membership.”
Petition Process To Date
The City of Milton, Towns of Milton, Harmony, Johnstown and Lima have identified a need to increase emergency fire and medical services as the community’s public safety needs continue to grow, and as the communities’ current service provider – the volunteer-reliant Milton Fire Department – faces growing staffing challenges.
Officials conducted extensive research, including the City of Milton commissioning a report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum, to identify the best approach to deliver fire and EMS services. They concluded that the most sustainable and cost-effective approach was to pursue a regional service delivery model. In January 2022, the City of Milton, Towns of Milton, Harmony, Johnstown and Lima filed a joint petition and corresponding intergovernmental agreement to the Edgerton Fire Protection District Board requesting to join EFPD.
Next Steps
Following the EFPD Board’s approval of the Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Petition of Membership to the Edgerton Fire Protection District, each municipality will review and consider the MOU individually during upcoming meetings. If approved by all parties, the MOU will guide EFPD and the petitioning municipalities through an evaluation process for potential membership in EFPD.