Commissioners adopt Missoula Rural Fire District impact fees for new development

Izzy Barley introduced a presentation on proposed impact fees for the Missoula Rural Fire District. Consultant Colin McElhinney (TischlerBise) presented the methodology used to calculate fees: an incremental-expansion approach that uses Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs) to quantify demand, a capital improvement plan to identify growth-related capital needs, and statutory constraints that limit eligible facilities. Colin presented sample calculations and ceilings: the analysis produced per-EDU ceiling numbers (examples discussed in the presentation included a $1,900-per-EDU maximum-support figure and illustrative unit-level outcomes such as $971 for a 1,200-square-foot unit in some scenarios), and the consultant projected approximately $5.2 million in impact-fee revenue over a 10-year window while noting larger capital needs would remain to be funded by other sources.