VIDEO: The East Missoula Rural Fire District is asking for the public’s support to fund operations as the population grows.
NBC Montana previously reported when a similar measure failed in 2025, when ballots asked for an additional $300,000 on top of their budget instead of the original goal to increase the budget to $300,000. Chief Tyler Munoz told NBC Montana the mix-up was an accident.
Now the fire department is asking for a levy of up to 61.94 mills, which would generate about $222,000 to fund operations. The fire department tells NBC Montana since 2015, the station has seen a 61% increase in calls to service, while the budget has stayed the same.
“We would hate to see — unfortunately, if it doesn’t pass — the department dissolve and the citizens and community of East Missoula be left without a fire district, as nobody would be obligated to come in and serve their areas,” said EMRFD Assistant Chief JD Sessions.
Sessions told NBC Montana the department is majority volunteer, and the only person on payroll is their bookkeeper. If the levy fails, Sessions says it could result in reduced staffing, a potential increase in homeowners’ insurance, with an additional strain on current resources.
If passed, the department would increase firefighter training, repair trucks and replace aging equipment. If voters approve the mill levy, the owner of a $300,000 home would pay an additional $141.21 annually, with a cost of $19.09 per month.
