Do we need a corporate fire station?

September 20, 2017

The City Council of Moyie Springs is moving forward to make our fire department a corporation. The reason for this is then the RR will give/donate funds to build a new fire station. Will residents lose control and management of the department? Will taxpayers bear the burden for the costs associated with the building and the management (corporate leaders)? After all, the RR money is only for the building. In a recent meeting, Councilwoman Heather Scott astutely pointed out it is already difficult to maintain the fire station the city already has. As an example of costs, the money needed to “run” the city office was increased by 26% this year. Paper clips, staples, paper, envelopes, stamps, pens, pencils, printer ink, etc., now cost taxpayers a whopping $2,750 a month. City Clerk salary, retirement, health insurance not included. I say if we must have a fire truck on the west side of the tracks, buy a building kit and put it next to City Hall. Tie in to existing hookups and keep our fire department in the hands of the people paying for it.

Rosanne Smith Moyie Springs