The City of Billings fire department is willing to provide fire protection and suppression, fire investigation, hazardous material response, emergency medical, grass and timberland fire suppression to properties within the Billings Urban Fire Service Area (BUFSA), including MetraPark.  The Yellowstone County Commissioners desire to continue with the above-named fire services from the City and renew the contract with the City for such services.

Fire services will be provided to all properties located within the boundaries of the BUFSA as specified in the resolution of the Yellowstone County Commissioners creating said BUFSA, and as amended from time to time by agreement of the parties. Any enlargement of the BUFSA will not receive fire services unless the City approves the enlargement in writing. Other than annexation, no property shall be deleted without the written consent of both parties.

The City Council may renew or not renew the BUFSA agreement for fire services with Yellowstone County.  Not renewing the agreement will create a $1.1 million shortfall in the Public Safety Fund.

The 2014 fee for providing services is $1,088,072.00.  The charges to Yellowstone County are reviewed and adjusted annually by the City in order to reflect actual costs incurred in providing services both to properties within the BUFSA and within the City limits.  Any increases in charges to Yellowstone County under the BUFSA agreement except for those which are beyond the control of the City and which are solely attributable to providing services to the BUFSA must be in direct proportion to increases in costs incurred by the City in providing the same services to City residents.

Staff recommends that the City Council renew the BUFSA Agreement for Fire Service with Yellowstone County.