Milton and Janesville officials will begin negotiating the terms of a potential consolidation of fire department services.

The Milton town board and city council held a joint meeting Wednesday night to determine the next steps for the future of their shared fire department.

The two municipalities were considering either staffing their own full time fire department at a new standalone station or consolidating entirely with the Janesville Fire Department.

The boards voted to start work on a plan to merge with their neighbor to the south, but city and town officials want to know the exact terms of the agreement before committing to the change, which will require a referendum likely in 2021.

The proposal for an independent, full time Milton Fire Department was projected to cost more than the consolidation, but it would also keep a few more personnel directly in Milton rather than Janesville.

The merger would also the two fire departments to share command staff, equipment and expenses. Either option is projected to more than double the current operating budget of the Milton Fire Department to address a growing need for services.