Commission OKs fire service fees, new incentives district

The Lincoln County Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved fee increases for the Trego/Fortine/Stryker Fire Service Area.

Owners of residential structures now will be assessed $100 annually, an increase from $50 annually.

For commercial structures without fuel, the fire service fee will increase from $76 annually to $152 annually.

The assessment for commercial structures with fuel will increase from $112 annually to $224 annually, according to the resolution.

Commissioners held a public hearing on April 14.

In other business Wednesday, the commission unanimously approved a local Commercial Property Assessed Capital Enhancement district, collaborating with the City of Libby.

C-PACE is a new state program allowing owners of commercial property incentives to complete energy efficiency improvements.

Qualifying commercial properties include farms, office buildings, nonprofit organizations — including places of worship — and multi-tenant buildings, according to the state.

The program is used for investments like solar panels, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning updates, lighting, and motors, according to the state.

Under the program, commercial building owners evaluate and select projects to reduce energy costs and secure financing, according to the state.

Local governments then add the assessment to its tax roll, and the property owner pays the assessment over a term of up to 20 years, according to the state.

More information is available at lastbestpace.com.