Cambridge Board Approves 2027 Fire, EMS Budget
The city ensures funding for fire and EMS services through 2027 despite a significant village-wide deficit.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Saving
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The Cambridge Village Board approved a $584,000 budget for the local fire and EMS department to cover operations for the 2027 fiscal year. This approval comes as the village manages a wider $670,000 projected deficit within its total $2.4 million in estimated expenditures.
Why it matters
Village officials approved the fire and EMS spending plan because the commission had already exhausted potential cost-saving measures, and a delay would have pushed the budget beyond the legal window for approval. This decision keeps essential services funded for 2027 despite the ongoing pressure of the village's broader budget shortfall.
The 2027 fire and EMS budget is set at $584,000. This spending sits within a total village budget of $2.4 million, which currently faces a $670,000 deficit.
The players
Cambridge Village Board
The local governing body responsible for municipal fiscal oversight and public safety funding.
Betsy Busch
A trustee on the Cambridge Village Board who abstained from the budget vote.
Lake Mills
A municipality that currently contributes to the joint fire and EMS commission but is set to withdraw support at the end of 2026.
Christiana
A town that shares the cost of fire and EMS services through the commission.
Rockdale
A municipality that serves as a regional partner in funding the fire and EMS commission.
The details
To reach the final $584,000 figure, the fire and EMS commission conducted a line-by-line review of costs over several months. The village board proceeded with the approval despite the departure of the town of Lake Mills, which will stop contributing to the shared commission at the end of 2026. Because the municipalities of Christiana and Rockdale had already approved the budget, the board opted to finalize the plan to meet operational deadlines.
Timeline
The fire and EMS commission approved the budget in September 2026.
The audit and finance committee reviewed the budget on October 22, 2026.
The village board officially approved the budget on October 27, 2026.
The town of Lake Mills will stop contributing to the commission at the end of 2026.
The approved budget covers the 2027 fiscal year.
Money Landscape
Municipalities frequently face budget constraints as shared services face rising costs and shifting regional participation. This approval follows standard municipal timelines for finalizing department spending before the start of the next fiscal year.
While the fire and EMS budget is now secured, the remaining $670,000 village deficit suggests potential future discussions regarding municipal tax levels or service fees. Households should monitor upcoming village board agendas to see how the broader budget gap may influence local fiscal policy.
The takeaway
The village has finalized its fire and EMS spending for 2027 despite a wider budget deficit and the upcoming withdrawal of a partner municipality. Residents may want to review future village board meeting minutes to track how the council plans to address the remaining $670,000 budget shortfall.
Further reading
For broader guidance on managing public service costs, visit Saving.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Jefferson County Union.
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