Fire service area nixes proposed fee hikes amid opposition

After a tumultuous public meeting, the Fisher River Fire Service Area Board nixed a proposed fee increase that could have doubled the yearly rates of residents.

Robin Swimley, board chairman, said the decision came the day after the Sept. 30 hearing. Apart from charging an additional 33 residential properties that were missing from tax rolls, Swimley said there would be no changes to the service area’s revenue stream from fees.

The retraction of the fee increase proposal reflects the general sentiments expressed at the public meeting. While many voiced their support for the fire service area, most questioned the need for such a steep hike in fees.

For residential property owners, the proposed fee increase would have brought their annual rate up from $140 to $280. Those with property classified as “commercial 1” would have seen their rates jump from $280 a year to $500. Owners with a lot designated as “commercial 2” would have faced an increase of $250, bringing their bill to $600.

Board of trustees members also considered adding a new designation for “structure improvements.” This classification would cover properties with structures such as trailer sheds. The rate for this new designation would be $177 a year.

At the meeting, which included the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, Swimley said the rate increases were necessary to address a couple “burning issues.” The Ranchers Volunteer Company station requires modifications since its doors are not wide enough to house new fire trucks. Some of the service area’s vehicles, including a tender from the Ranchers station, are in for repairs. Board of trustee members also expect to replace one of their fire trucks soon.

Swimley said the rate increases would help pay for a new ambulance. While the ambulance crew is separate from the fire service area and is funded via mill levies, Swimley said the underfunded group has relied on fire fees for support.

In the past, Swimley said the fire service area subsidized the ambulance service to the tune of $10,000 to $20,000 a year. Swimley noted that a recent grant for $175,000 would help the fire service area pay for the ambulance.

Many residents expressed outrage that they were being taxed twice — once through fire service fees and once through property taxes — for ambulance services. County Commissioner Mark Peck (D-1) agreed that this system was unfair to residents in Fisher River.

“This ambulance issue is completely wrong,” Peck said. “We’re going to fix it.”

Ambulance services within the county are overseen by a board that has members from units in Libby, Eureka and Troy, according to Peck. The Fisher River service is not represented by the countrywide group. While commissioners don’t have authority over the board, Peck said they are allowed to appoint members.

“It’s not that they’re doing anything illegal or wrong, but there’s no citizen representation on there and it’s the taxpayers’ money,” Peck said.

While some residents argued that the fire service area is throwing too many resources into managing wildland fires, Peck and County Commissioner Jerry Bennett (D-2) said local firefighters needed to understand how to combat these sorts of fires since they could quickly threaten structures.

Mabel Beito, Fisher River ambulance volunteer, expressed concerns about how Fisher River emergency service officials handled their finances but asked fellow residents to consider the strain that the lack of funding has placed on volunteers. Fire service and ambulance crews often have to work together, she said, due to a scarcity of resources.

“If my stuff expired tomorrow, I wouldn’t do it again,” Beito said. “It’s too much time, it’s too much liability… but when you’ve invested all that you just keep going because you [care].”

But Beito said she did not want her taxes raised either and called for an audit along with other residents.

David Anderson, a homeowner near Middle Thompson Lake, said he wouldn’t mind if his taxes increased so long as long as other residents paid their fair share. After suffering a cardiac arrest last winter, Anderson said volunteers helped save his life.

“I’m a living example of what fine emergency service people we have.”