Public safety referendums pass overwhelmingly in Ozaukee County

OUZAKEE COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Five communities will now have additional first responders after voters overwhelmingly passed public safety referendums. Four of the five communities are in Ozaukee County -- Port Washington, Cedarburg, Saukville, and Grafton. Germantown also passed a public safety referendum. 

Fire Chief William Rice has seen many changes in his 10 years at the Grafton Fire Department. 

“I was the first full time employee," said Grafton Fire Chief William Rice. “When I started, I was all alone. I’d be in the building all alone most days.”

The most recent change is a welcome one. 

“They understood the problem," said Chief Rice. 

Voters overwhelmingly decided to combine Grafton and Saukville's Fire Departments and increase the number of full-time staff members. In the Village of Grafton, 67.09% of voters voted to pass the referendum. In the Town of Grafton, it passed with 61.85% of the votes and in the Town of Saukville, it passed with 54.01% of the votes. 

“They’re going to get a more reliable, robust, fire and EMS response when they need it," said Chief Rice.

Just a few minutes down the road, Cedarburg will go through the same changes. 

Eight full time positions will be added, including turning the fire chief's part time role into a full-time position.

"Our volunteers have been declining throughout the years," said Cedarburg Fire Chief Jeff Vahsholtz. 

Chief Vahsholtz says the number of calls have gone up, but because of fewer volunteers, residents have had to deal with longer response times. 

"People are volunteering their time to go out and serve the people and you can't do that all the time. It's very frustrating," said Chief Vahsholtz

Property taxes for all four counties will go up.

In the Village of Grafton, property taxes would increase by roughly $95 for every $100,000 of assessed value. In the Town of Saukville, it's $65 and roughly $53 in Town of Grafton.

In Cedarburg, property taxes will increase by $67 for every $100,000 of assessed value, $57 in the Town of Cedarburg, and $91 in Port Washington. 

Germantown will also see an increase in property taxes by $51 for every $100,000 of property assessed. 

“I live here, also. I live in the community, and this affects my taxes, also," said Chief Rice. 

It's a cost both fire chiefs say is worth the price tag. 

"With the referendums passing in both Grafton, Saukville, and Port Washington, it's just going to strengthen Ozaukee County as a whole," said Chief Vahsholtz.