Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission adopts FY2024–25 budget and mill levy amid debate on reserves and firefighter staffing
Summary
The Anaconda Deer Lodge County Commission adopted the fiscal year 2024–25 budget and mill levy after heated discussion about using reserves to balance the budget and repeated calls from a commissioner to increase fire‑department staffing; budget approvals passed 4–1 with Commissioner Gallagher recorded in opposition.
The Anaconda Deer Lodge County Commission voted to approve the county’s fiscal year 2024–25 budgets and related resolutions on Sept. 10 after extended discussion over the use of reserves and public‑safety staffing.
CFO John Sholley and CEO Everett briefed the commission on the budget, noting the draft budget relies on reserves to cover an approximate $4.4 million shortfall and that Montana law limits the percentage of a fund that may be retained as reserves. The CFO said the budget presentation shows beginning cash balances, estimated revenues, expenses and the projected ending balance, and emphasized that the county budgets conservatively for revenues.
Commissioner Tom Gallagher urged the commission to prioritize additional staffing for the county fire department, citing firefighter safety and several recent incidents in which he said additional personnel would have changed outcomes. “I can’t support this budget unless we address the staffing issue,” Gallagher said, pressing for a plan to move toward four‑person engine crews in line with national standards.
CEO Everett responded that governmental accounting restricts transferring money between funds and that increase in permanent fire staffing would likely require voter approval or additional mill levies; he confirmed the county has applied for a SAFER grant that, if awarded, would fund additional firefighter positions for three years and then require local funding decisions.
Public commenters and fire‑department representatives said the department remains among the lowest‑paid in Montana and questioned the use of the fire fund to pay legal fees related to past arbitration. The CFO described legal fee handling and reserve monitoring under state law.
After debate and public comment, the commission approved the budgets and the associated resolution adopting the budget by a 4–1 vote, with Commissioner Gallagher recorded in opposition. Separately, the commission approved Resolution 24‑18 establishing the mill levy unanimously.
Next steps: staff will move forward on budget implementation; the commission flagged firefighter staffing and potential future revenue measures as items for further discussion pending grant outcomes.
