MADISON-Today, Representative Jenna Jacobson (D-Oregon) released the following statement following unanimous passage of the bill to fund the Village of Oregon, the Town of Oregon, and the Village of Rutland for their joint Fire/Emergency Medical Services District with the Town of Dunn. The bill will ensure that the State of Wisconsin fully funds the joint Fire/EMS district within these communities:
“The unanimous, bipartisan passage today of Senate Bill 439 in the State Assembly shows that good things happen when people come together. I was alerted to a mistake made by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue when the Village of Oregon was doing their budget, and I knew we had to get something done. With the help of our local leaders in Oregon and Rutland, the bill’s passage will ensure that our community will have the funding the state promised, and local taxpayers and residents will not bear the burden of this mistake.
“We hear all too often that politics and government get in the way of doing what is right for our communities. I am pleased that today, members in the Assembly set aside partisanship to deliver a unanimous vote in favor of this bill. It is important that our firefighters and first responders stand ready to serve us when we need it most. The bill’s passage will ensure that the Oregon Area Fire/EMS District’s funding will remain whole. I would once again like to thank the local officials in Oregon and Rutland for their leadership in helping this bill across the finish line.”
*Senate Bill 439/ Assembly Bill 440 makes a technical change by setting the levy limit base for the Village of Oregon, and the towns of Oregon and Rutland for their fire and emergency medical services district. The legislation was brought forth in response to an error made by the Department of Revenue in 2024 when the Village of Oregon was writing their 2025 budget. Because of the error, the Village of Oregon was given a one-year exemption for the 2025 budget. This legislation makes a permanent fix to ensure that the Oregon Area Fire/EMS District cannot be held responsible for this mistake. The State funding for the 2026-27 fiscal year will be: $172,400 for the Village of Oregon, $51,100 for the Town of Oregon, and $1,100 for the Town of Rutland. The bill now goes to the Governor to be signed into law.
