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Fire chief and staff describe equipment orders, staffing and levy limits
Summary
Fire department leaders reported multi-year equipment orders, capital needs for station heating and maintenance, and reaffirmed that a proposed levy will not be used to reduce general-fund transfers.
Fire department leadership described equipment orders with multi-year lead times, facility maintenance needs and the department's position on a proposed levy during a Kalispell City Council meeting.
Chief Hagen, introduced by staff as the new fire chief, reviewed capital equipment timelines and staffing plans. He said the department placed engine orders with long lead times and is phasing in equipment purchases and personnel over multiple years. "We got 2 year plus lead time, so we try to structure that," the chief said.
Staff described facility projects including heating improvements for apparatus bays and roof repairs across the public complex, noting roofs are more than 20 years old and that work will happen over several years. The department also said it set aside funds for apparatus and that overtime and vacancy management have been used to maintain coverage while hiring continues.
On levy policy, a city speaker stated explicitly: "we will not use the levy to reduce the transfer. That's That was always never a part of discussion." Staff explained the levy is intended to support capital and dedicated funds rather than offseting general-fund transfers for routine operations.
Council members and staff discussed where levy proceeds and capital funds would be allocated and how the department will manage hiring and capital needs without drawing down the general fund. No formal vote on levy language or reallocation took place during the meeting.
