EVERGREEN – The deadline for voters in Evergreen to decide on whether or not to approve a permanent fire levy is Tuesday.
Residents who have ballots that have yet to be returned must now take them to the Flathead County Elections Office as postmarked ballots are no longer being accepted.
Evergreen Fire District Trustees approved putting the issue before voters in a special mail ballot in January.
The district is struggling with how to continue to provide current levels of service with increasing call volumes, personnel turnover, and challenging revenue shortfalls. Current tax revenue can only pay for salaries for the fire chief, fire marshal and the administrative assistant.
The district would be able to provide a second ambulance and provide benefits for employees if voters approve the levy request.
Taxes on a home valued at $100,000 would increase by about $84 per year and would rise approximately $168 for owners with a home valued at $200,000. Voters approved a five-year levy providing about $145,000 per year in 2014, but that measure will expire next June.
If the proposed levy passes, the previous levy will expire immediately.
