Referendum

Fort Atkinson's Public Safety Referendum was approved by voters on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. The vote was 1,293 votes, or 52.39% approving of the measure and 1,127 or 45.66% of votes against.

Public Safety Referendum

The City of Fort Atkinson has identified a need to add additional, full-time personnel to its Police and Fire departments.

Voters will be asked whether or not to support an increase in the City’s annual tax levy, beginning in 2022, to cover the cost for two additional police officers, six full-time firefighter/paramedics and six full-time firefighter/EMTs.

Critical Need for Public Safety Personnel

The current public safety funding level and staffing models are insufficient to meet the growing current and projected service demands and needs of our community. Fort Atkinson must act now if it is to continue to adequately respond to calls for service.

The challenge is that the need for our public safety efforts continues to rise, but current funding sources are stagnant or decreasing, and existing staffing levels inhibit ability to adequately respond to calls for service.

As a result of those needs, voters will be asked on April 5, 2022 whether or not to support an increase in the City’s annual tax levy, beginning in 2023, to cover the cost for two additional police officers, six full-time firefighter/paramedics, and six full-time firefighter/EMTs.

Resources that provide additional details about this critical need for additional firefighter/paramedics, firefighter/EMTs and police officers are available below.



Information Session video

To read questions and answers posed during info sessions, [see this document].

Listening Sessions

The Fort Atkinson City Council is hosting a Referendum Listening Session relating to the upcoming April 5, 2022, Public Safety Referendum on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at 7 p.m. at Café Carpe, 18 S. Water St. W.

There will be an additional Referendum Listening Session Wednesday, March 30 at 6 p.m. at the Fort Atkinson American Legion, 201 S. Water Street East.

There will be no formal presentation at either of these listening sessions. Members of the City Council will be on hand to answer questions about the referendum. A quorum of the Fort Atkinson City Council may be present, but no official action will be taken at this meeting. No City staff will be on hand at the presentations. 

Vote April 5

Absentee voting will be available in person at the City Clerk’s office from March 22-April 1. Daily hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. There is no absentee voting the day before the election.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail is March 31, 5:00 p.m.

Additional information about voting is available here

Questions?

Email the City of Fort Atkinson at referendum@fortatkinsonwi.net with any questions or feedback.