Police and fire services were on the agenda Monday when the Madison Board of Estimates began consideration of Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's 2006 Operating Budget, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. The board will vote on forthcoming amendments Oct. 31.
Fire Chief Debra Amesqua said 80 percent of calls to the Madison Fire Department require emergency medical services and will need an eighth full-time, year-round ambulance. However, Cieslewicz said the city cannot afford the approximate $800,000 cost of an additional vehicle.
Chief of Police Noble Wray said that the Madison Police Department will need eight more officers in 2006. Cieslewicz's budget only provides four, plus an additional two officers who will be transplanted from desk jobs to street enforcement. Wray said officers were being pulled from positions to fill needs on the city's west side during afternoons and evenings, and downtown during late night hours.
