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Cut Bank council votes to send permanent mill-levy question to voters to fund fire trucks and equipment
Summary
The Cut Bank City Council approved a resolution to submit a permanent additional mill levy to qualified electors to fund fire department capital needs, including replacement trucks and turnout gear; council discussion stressed aging apparatus and per‑set gear costs of about $3,800.
The Cut Bank City Council on Aug. 25 approved a resolution to submit to the city’s qualified electors a ballot question that would permanently add mills to the tax levy to pay for fire department capital needs, including vehicles and equipment.
Council members approved Resolution 2025‑15 after a discussion that centered on the age of the department’s apparatus and the cost of replacing personal protective equipment. Building Inspector Sander, speaking during the discussion, said the department is "looking at 2 trucks that are 30 plus years old" and warned that relying on very old apparatus risks service reliability. He told the council a single set of turnout gear (bunker coat, pants and gloves) runs "a little over $3,800," and noted the department keeps roughly 25 personnel on the roster who will need replacement gear over time.
The resolution, as drafted and approved by the council, would submit the question to voters rather than immediately set a levy rate or dedicate a line-item amount; the ballot question asks electors to authorize permanent additional mills to fund capital needs for the fire department. City staff and council members discussed the flexibility in the resolution’s language, which defines capital needs to include "any vehicles or equipment," not solely a specific fire truck.
Council members and staff also discussed potential external drivers of cost. One speaker said federal guidance has been moving toward more frequent replacement or upgrade cycles for turnout gear, which could increase long‑term costs; council members said they would plan public outreach and informational meetings if the measure goes before voters.
The measure was moved and seconded on the council floor and carried with an affirmative voice vote. Under the council’s action, the matter will appear to qualified electors at the appropriate election as the city’s legal process requires. The resolution does not set the mill rate or an election date in the text presented during the meeting.
Next steps: staff will place the approved resolution on the appropriate ballot and coordinate voter-notice requirements and public outreach; the council discussed community meetings and social-media outreach to explain the need if the question is certified for the ballot.
