Fee increase approved for Whitefish rural fire area

Flathead County commissioners on a split vote Thursday approved a fee increase for the rural Whitefish fire area.  

The Whitefish Fire Service Area requested the flat fee increase that raises residential property owners fee by $36 per year to $180. About a dozen property owners in the area told commissioners during a public comment that they welcome the increase to keep fire service and plan for the future.  

“It’s imperative that we prepare for the future of the fire service area,” Terry Nelson said.  

Commissioners on a 2-1 vote OK’d the increase.  

Voting against the increase, Commissioner Pam Holmquist said she couldn’t support it because the service level is expected to remain the same. She also had qualms about the fire service area only receiving about 60 replies when it mailed out about 3,000 letters to property owners explaining the proposed increase.  

“Fire service is important, but the majority of people didn’t respond and their taxes might increase,” she said prior to the vote. “This is difficult for me because the response level is so low. I don’t know if the majority of people support this.” 

But Commissioners Brad Abell and Randy Brodehl acknowledged that the area hasn’t seen an increase in rates since 2015.  

“I look at this as not an increase in the level of service, but if they don’t increase rates then they won’t be able to maintain the level of service,” Abell said. “This maintains the level of service while responding to inflation.”  

Homeowner Scott Miller told commissioners he was against the increase until listening to the rural fire board talk about its plan for ensuring fire service into the future. 

“This is very beneficial to the fire area,” he said. “I can forgo a few lattes if it means paying for the increase. We need this increase to have the funds for the future.”  

Thomas Moran, who serves on the rural fire board, said the increase of 25% is manageable for taxpayers and makes a difference for the fire area as it tries to keep up with expenses.  

“It’s a big elephant that we are trying to bite off one chunk at a time,” he said.  

The rural fire area outside Whitefish city limits is about 75 square miles. The rural area contracts with the city of Whitefish for fire protection. The area, which is different than a fire district, is one of the few in the state that uses a flat rate for funding rather than collecting based on property tax value.  

D.C. Haas, executive director for the rural fire area, said the fee increase is necessary to keep up with operational costs and pay for the contract with the Whitefish Fire Department, which increases by 4% each year. According to Haas, about 60% of the Whitefish Fire calls are within the rural area.  

“This partnership is unique in Montana and has proven to be a difficult funding model to properly serve the residents in our fire service area,” he said. “The annual contract fee leaves little to invest in the infrastructure within our protection area.”  

Haas said the fire area is working on a plan to address an identified need for more stations, staffing and equipment, but the first step is to increase fees.  

The rural area is set to pay Whitefish Fire $367,557 in 2026 and its bill would increase to $544,074 in 2036. It will also provide a fire engine to the city at an estimated cost of $610,000 to help offset the contract cost.  

Under its current funding structure, the rural fire area this year collects about $450,000. Under the new fee level, it will collect $563,000. 

The fire area includes 2,900 residential and multi-family units. It includes 64 businesses.    

Rates for rural businesses termed as low risk such as restaurants, hotels and motels will see fees increase from $320 to $400, while high risk businesses will see fees go from $900 to $1,125 per year.    

Deputy Editor Heidi Desch may be reached at 758-4421 or hdesch@dailyinterlake.com.