Swan Valley residents ask Missoula County for more transparency after $219,000 wildfire-defense award

Brian, a Swan Valley resident, told the councils the Swan Valley community learned via a newspaper summary that Swan Valley Connections — a local nonprofit — received about $219,000 from the Missoula County Office of Emergency Management as part of a countywide wildfire-defense award. He said his community was “caught off guard” and sought more proactive communication from county decision-makers.

Brian asked for a complete summary: the original request, scope of work, exact dollar amount, approval documentation and auditing features. He said Swan Valley Emergency Services had pursued funding for a replacement Type 1 engine and that community leaders would have appreciated advance notice to weigh competing needs.

Chris, a county speaker involved in the wildfire defense award, said the money is part of a larger countywide wildfire defense grant and that the Swan-area work is intended for fuel mitigation around homes and was coordinated with the local fire department, Swan Valley Connections and other partners. Chris said the county is responsible for auditing the funds as part of its normal fiscal procedures and said staff would follow up with the Swan Valley community council and share available materials about the project and application process.

Residents asked the county to improve outreach in rural areas when large, county-administered grants are distributed so local councils have an opportunity to comment or provide context before public announcements. County staff agreed to look into the request and to provide the requested documentation where available.