Rural Whitefish fire area seeks fee increase

The rural Whitefish fire area is seeking to increase its service fees to better keep up with increasing costs.  

The Whitefish Fire Service Area is requesting to increase its flat fee by 25% for properties in its 87-square-mile protection area. If approved by Flathead County commissioners, it would increase the fee paid by residential property owners by $36 from $144 per year to $180 per year.  

Commissioners will hold a public hearing on amending the fire service fee at 9:15 a.m. on July 11. Commissioners meet beginning at 8:45 a.m. at the Historic Courthouse, 800 S. Main St. in Kalispell.