Belgrade is hoping to change a law that makes municipalities fund its own fire department once the population hits the 10,000 mark.
The city is working through an interim local government committee on House Joint Resolution 25, which is a study of municipal fire department statutes. The resolution is in response to the failure of House Bill 534, which would have allowed cities with a population of 10,000 or more to choose how they would provide fire protection in their city.
Montana code says every municipality with a population that exceeds 10,000 or more must have its own fire department that is controlled by the city. The law dates back to the late 1800’s. A city with a population between 5,000 and 10,000 may contract for fire service if its population is below 7,500, otherwise the city must also have their own fire department. Belgrade contracts its fire protection services with Central Valley Fire District.