Anaconda‑Deer Lodge County officials discuss $4.7 million bond to renovate city fire hall

County Treasurer Eric Hoeven told the Anaconda‑Deer Lodge County Commission that staff are asking permission to place a ballot question before the city fire district asking voters to approve up to $4,700,000 in general‑obligation bonds to pay for an addition and renovations to the fire hall at 420 West Park Street.

"We are asking for permission to put a ballot initiative before the city fire district electorate asking them if they want to go out, issue $4,700,000 in general obligation bonds," Hoeven said, describing the planned scope as an addition and upgrades to the existing station.

Commissioners pressed Hoeven about who would carry the largest share of any tax increase. A commissioner asked whether the burden would fall disproportionately on some property owners; Hoeven replied that the fire district has roughly $560,000,000 of assessed value and that commercial and industrial taxpayers are likely to see larger effects because of higher assessed values.

Anaconda fire chief Cody Tahirder outlined operational and safety benefits that the project would address. "We would be adding one ladder bay, one brush truck bay, and two ambulance bays, which would allow us to connect every apparatus to exhaust piping, so no exhaust would be into the building," the chief said, adding that the plan includes separate sleeping quarters and contamination‑control zones to keep living spaces free of contaminants.

Staff also discussed engagement of bond counsel and underwriting services. The commission reviewed an engagement letter for bond counsel Dorsey & Whitney and was told that D.A. Davidson would act as underwriter. One commissioner flagged the appearance of a conflict because Davidson and other advisers have preexisting business relationships, saying she was "never comfortable when the lawyer sits on both sides of the table." Hoeven and other staff responded that Dorsey & Whitney and D.A. Davidson regularly work together and that market conditions (premium versus discount at sale) create inherent risk the county must manage.

Peter Webb of SMA Architecture, the firm's principal on the project, told commissioners SMA has a structural engineer on board and has consulted Montana Department of Transportation contacts about a proposed ladder‑bay setback. "We do have somebody on the team," Webb said of the structural engineer, and added the firm would assemble the full discipline team as the design proceeds.

No final vote to issue bonds was recorded at the meeting. Commissioners discussed next steps and asked staff to return with details on counsel engagement, underwriting, design and schedule; Hoeven noted legal and market timing could push any bond sale into January or February if the measure is approved by voters.

Next steps: staff said they would continue work on the bond materials, coordinate with bond counsel and the underwriter, and bring more specific financing information back to the commission for final action.