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Whitefish council directs staff to pursue donated site and a ballot plan for second fire station north of viaduct
Summary
Council gave staff direction to negotiate an agreement with Iron Horse HOA and the golf club to pursue a donated site for a second fire station, and to plan for nine new firefighters with a future voted levy to fund operations.
After a detailed staff presentation on Aug. 3, the Whitefish City Council directed staff to take the next step in discussions with Iron Horse HOA and the golf club about a donated site and building for a proposed second fire station north of the Baker Avenue viaduct. City Manager Dana and Fire Chief Cole Hadley presented an updated operational analysis showing the city could meet a seven‑person daily minimum across two stations by hiring nine new firefighters; staff estimated the capital and initial operational program at roughly $1.5 million–$1.65 million under the nine‑person staffing scenario, down from prior estimates tied to a larger staffing plan.
Councilors asked detailed questions about funding and timing. Staff said capital costs could be reduced if land and building are donated and that operations would most likely require a voted levy; the earliest practical ballot timeline staff mentioned was fall next year. Councilors raised equity questions about county residents who use city fire services and whether the Whitefish Fire Service Area or county should contribute; staff said the service‑area contract places service responsibility with the city but that fee adjustments and discussions with the county could be pursued. Community representatives from Iron Horse emphasized response‑time benefits and personal safety experiences: "I had a very serious accident on Big Mountain 2 years ago. And I couldn't get an ambulance," one speaker said in urging the council to move quickly.
What the council decided: by show of hands the council authorized staff to negotiate an agreement with Iron Horse and to proceed using nine new firefighters as the planning assumption; council members also asked staff to prepare financial scenarios for a future ballot measure that would fund operations and equipment. Staff and council agreed to return with a comprehensive fiscal analysis and proposed ballot language before any levy is placed before voters.
