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Missoula County approves $150,000 in TIFF funds for fire needs assessment amid debate over TED revenue impacts
Summary
The commissioners approved $150,000 in TIFF funds ($50,000 from Y1, $100,000 from Y2) to fund a fire needs assessment for Missoula Rural and Frenchtown Rural Fire Districts; commissioners and public commenters raised concerns about TIF/TED revenue tradeoffs for local services.
Missoula County commissioners voted April 9 to allocate $150,000 in TIFF funding to support a fire needs assessment covering the Missoula Rural Fire District and the Frenchtown Rural Fire District.
Lauren Ryan, community and economic development specialist, presented the request and said the study would assess current fire protection capacity in the Y1 and Y2 TED areas, forecast infrastructure and staffing needs, and identify implementation and funding strategies. Ryan said the Missoula Development Authority and the Missoula jurisdictional advisory committee each voted unanimously to recommend the project.
The proposed budget in the staff presentation called for $150,000 total: $50,000 from the Y1 TED fund and $100,000 from the Y2 TED fund. If approved, staff planned to publish an RFP in April, interview and select a consultant in May, sign a contract in June 2026, and complete the study by late 2026 or early 2027.
Commissioner Slottnik (identified later in the record) described the mechanics and tradeoffs of TED/TIFF financing and warned of reduced revenue to taxing jurisdictions during a district’s life. "There is a finite sum of money in the world of taxes whether we're inside or outside of a TIF district... the increment doesn't go to any of the jurisdictions; instead it gets put in a fund," the commissioner said, and added that the study should clarify how revenue and costs can be balanced so fire districts are not left short. He described the challenge as "a balancing act" and urged the study to examine both cost and revenue sides.
Kevin Davis, a member of the public participating by phone, urged commissioners to consider TIFF side effects and to ensure the study addresses revenue reductions to fire protection, schools and law enforcement that can result when tax increment financing diverts growth increment revenue.
A commissioner moved to approve the funding ($50,000 from Y1 and $100,000 from Y2); another commissioner seconded the motion. The board approved the funding by voice vote; no roll call tally appears in the transcript.
Next steps: Staff will publish an RFP, select a consultant, and proceed with the study timeline outlined in the presentation. The record shows commissioners and at least one public commenter asked the study to evaluate how TED/TIFF districts affect revenue available for fire protection and other public services.
