Council approves expansion of fire protection district to include Montana Connections after heated debate

Butte Silver Bow — The Council of Commissioners voted to place a resolution on final reading that would alter the fire protection service district to add the Montana Connections area, moving the proposal forward after an extensive public discussion and a 7—6 final vote.

Supporters said expanding the district would increase the taxable base and allow the fire services fund to levy additional mills under the state's cap formula, helping cover wages, benefits and equipment costs. "We have been up against our cap of the fire fund," Fire Chief Zach Osborne said, urging the council to proceed so the ordinance-change process can continue and affected property owners can be heard at a subsequent public hearing.

Opponents raised fairness and legal concerns. Commissioner Fisher said the change appeared targeted to wealthier properties within the district and argued the council should consider a countywide approach rather than expanding only the TIF area. "If we're going to expand the fire district, we should do it countywide, not just target the people in the Montana Connections," Fisher said. Commissioner Callahan questioned whether the proposed boundary change and tax treatment would withstand legal challenge and repeatedly pressed the fire department on spending and overtime practices.

Finance Director Karen Hassler briefed the council on how state law (the 15-10-420 MCA formula) determines the maximum mills a jurisdiction may levy and explained that bringing Montana Connections into the district would raise the certified value used to calculate the cap. "That determines the maximum number of mills that you can levy for the taxing jurisdiction," Hassler said, explaining why expanding the taxable base can increase available levy capacity.

The discussion included several related points: whether the area previously benefited from tax abatements, how much REC Silicon and other large ratepayers currently contribute to fire taxes, and the potential downstream effects for volunteer departments that also receive money from the fire fund. Commissioners stressed the decision on the resolution was not the final ordinance change; another public hearing on the proposal will be held as part of the ordinance process.

The council ultimately voted to advance the resolution on final reading and pass it (final recorded tally: 7 yea, 3 nay). The resolution now moves toward the ordinance change process and a further public hearing where property owners in the affected area may comment.