Resident urges scrutiny of repeated Fort Ellis Fire District fee increases

A Bozeman resident told the Gallatin County Commission on July 15 that he supports local volunteer fire departments but is concerned about a pattern of repeated fee increases by the Fort Ellis Fire District.

Justine Swanson, the county’s chief financial officer, opened the floor for public comment on a resolution the county had intended to put on the July 15 agenda to increase Fort Ellis fees but that she had missed filing by the agenda deadline. Swanson said the prepared resolution will instead be heard July 22 and asked anyone who had come to comment to speak at the July 15 meeting if they wished.

Anson Morris, who gave public comment, described family ties to volunteer fire service and praised volunteers’ contributions before raising fiscal concerns. Morris said Fort Ellis increased a fee from $250 to $400 in 2021 when the district needed a new facility, then later increased the fee to $600 after the project exceeded its budget. Morris said the district was now seeking another increase, to between $725 and $765 annually, and called the cumulative effect a near tripling of fees over four years. He urged “greater scrutiny, transparency, and caution before approving further increases.”

Swanson told the commission the resolution to change Fort Ellis’s fee has been prepared and will be placed on next week’s agenda for formal consideration and public hearing on July 22. No formal action on the Fort Ellis fee was taken on July 15.

What’s next: The resolution will be on the commission agenda for July 22 when the public may comment and the commission may take formal action.