Kronenwetter ambulance debate continues, with other Kronenwetter news

Kronenwetter news including the village's finance director resigning and its legal bills skyrocketing.

The latest news out of Kronenwetter about its ambulance service: It could be going to a referendum.

The village’s Ambulance Subcommittee is looking at crafting a referendum question to see if residents think it’s a good idea for the village to form its own ambulance service or continue contracting with Riverside Fire District.

The subcommittee is also looking into reaching out to a third party to evaluate the village’s options around ambulance service.

Kronenwetter Fire Chief Theresa O’Brien earlier this year proposed that the village look into forming its own ambulance service after she expressed dissatisfaction with Riverside Fire District’s service and with comments Fireside’s now-former fire chief made about service in the village. She argued in her presentation that Kronenwetter forming its own service would actually save the village money and improve response times.

The proposal was then met with controversy in the village and after a lot of debate and a public hearing, the village elected to form a subcommittee to study the issue.

Meanwhile, Riverside sent a new proposal to provide service to the village that would lock in a price + 2% cost increase through 2030. Board member Ken Charneski said that would put the costs between $74,000-$80,000 per year.

Monday’s board meeting included a debate over whether a lawyer ought to weigh in on the formation of the referendum question, and at what point in the process.

Kronenwetter legal bills skyrocket

The village of Kronenwetter has spent six figures on legal services so far this year, according to a report given to the village board last month. And that’s led to a growing concern among the village’s board members.