Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildfire Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Whitefish issues RFP for community wildfire protection plan; council appoints selection panels
Summary
The city issued an RFP for a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and Council approved staff-proposed rating and selection panels; the FY26 budget appropriates $100,000 for the update, anticipated to draw on a pro-housing grant if available.
Fire Chief Hadley told the council on Nov. 3 that the city issued an RFP on Oct. 22 to update Whitefish’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). The update will include a new wildfire-risk assessment, mitigation strategies and land-use recommendations intended to be incorporated into the city’s growth policy under the Montana Land Use Planning Act.
Hadley said the RFP schedule calls for proposals due Nov. 14, interviews of shortlisted firms in mid-November to early December, and consultant selection by late December. The city’s FY26 adopted budget includes a $100,000 appropriation for the CWPP update; staff intends to use a pro-housing grant administered by the Montana League of Cities and Towns if the funds are available, but said guidance on how to access that grant remains pending.
Staff proposed a rating panel of city staff to rank proposals and a selection panel comprising staff and an appointed city council member or the mayor to conduct interviews and make the final award recommendation. Councilmember Giuseppe moved to proceed with the selection process and nominate the deputy mayor to the selection committee; the motion passed unanimously.
If grant funding is not available, Chief Hadley said the project would be funded from the city’s general fund cash-revert reserves. Staff said the process will include citizen participation and coordination with county, state and federal agencies.
