The city of Hudson is facing challenges with its fire department, including longer response times and a growing number of calls for service. To address this issue, the city council has approved a referendum that will be on the ballot in November. The referendum proposes a tax levy hike to cover fire department costs and hire additional staff.

If passed, the tax levy would increase by over nine percent. The Hudson Fire Department currently serves a 49-square-mile area and operates mainly as a paid on-call department. Further details about the referendum and the fire department's situation are available from local news sources, including KSTP 5 Eyewitness News.