Missoula fire levy on track to pass; government study fails

MISSOULA — Voters in the city of Missoula were strongly in favor of a fire tax and opposed to a study of local government, according to early results.

With 13,700 ballots counted, the fire tax won with 62% support and 38% opposition. The levy is permanent and would generate up to $7 million annually to support the growth of the Missoula Fire Department.

The fire department contacted the Missoula City Council during budget presentations last week to request nearly $9 million in new requests. This includes a new fire station in the greater Mullan area, a 20-person fire company to staff it and new equipment to strengthen the station.
The funding request also included ongoing funding for the mobile support team. If the levy passes, as appears to be the case, the City Council could delist the majority of the department's requests because taxpayers would bear the burden through the levy.

City officials said Tuesday they would wait for the final tally before commenting on the levy initiative. A press conference with the mayor and fire chief is planned for Wednesday morning. The levy would cost homeowners about $46 a year for every $100,000 of a home's assessed value.

Although voters seemed supportive of the fire tax, they were strongly opposed to a local government study. The state requires local governments to put the question before voters every 10 years.

In early returns, the local government study was poised to fail, with 64 percent opposed and 35 percent supported.

Visit to see preliminary election results across Montana.