The Big Sky Fire Dept. plans to hire three new firefighters over the next three years after receiving a federal grant worth $564,000, according to Big Sky Fire Chief William Farhat.
The fire department will propose a mill levy increase for Big Sky residents in November to fund renovations for its two fire stations, which will cost an estimated $1.75 million dollars, says Farhat. He tells NBC Montana the federal grant will allow the fire department to ask for less money from Big Sky residents.
"We can go to the voters in the fall and say we've done the best we can with what we have, but we do need the mill levy increase to get the rest of the job done properly," Farhat said.
If approved, the mill levy increase will support the addition of nine firefighters, a fire marshal, a fire inspector and the remodel of the fire departments two stations. This will allow for 24-hour occupancy, according to Farhat.