Somers Voters to Decide on $1.3M Fire-EMS Tax Increase

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Voters in Somers, Wisconsin will decide on April 7 whether to approve a permanent $1.3 million property tax levy increase to hire eight full-time firefighter/paramedics and expand emergency services. Village officials say the added staff would allow the department to guarantee paramedic-level care and operate all three ambulances at once as call volume continues to rise.

Why it matters

The referendum aims to provide long-term funding for the fire and EMS department beyond a current federal grant, as the village has seen a steady increase in emergency calls in recent years. Passage of the measure would allow the department to maintain a higher level of service, but would also result in higher taxes for Somers homeowners.

The details

The $1.3 million annual tax increase, if approved, would allow the Somers Fire and Rescue Department to hire eight new full-time firefighter/paramedics. This would enable the department to guarantee paramedic-level care on all calls and operate all three of its ambulances simultaneously to respond to the rising number of emergency calls, which reached a record 1,778 in 2025.

• The referendum vote will take place on April 7, 2026.
• If approved, the tax increase would take effect starting with December 2026 tax bills.

What’s next

If the referendum is approved, the Somers Fire and Rescue Department will begin the process of hiring the eight new full-time firefighter/paramedics to expand its emergency services capabilities.