The City of Milton is gearing up for a future referendum for fire and EMS services.

The city council voted Tuesday night to approve a request for proposals to hire a consultant to aid in the referendum process.

Milton City Administrator Al Hulick said the joint fire commission still needs to decide what path the Milton Fire Department will go down, but the city wants to have its consultant in place so it can get the ball rolling.

Without a fire department plan locked in, Milton does not know which election the referendum would take place or how much the city would be asking from taxpayers.

Hulick expects a decision from the fire commission in the coming weeks, and he would like to have their consultant in place by Thanksgiving.