Marion Fire District
P.O. Box 939, 180 Gopher Lane, Marion, MT 59925
Phone: (406) 854-2828 / Fax: (406) 854-9330
Website: www.marionfd.org
BOARD OF TRUSTEES – Minutes
Board of trustees in attendance: Brian Dodge, Aaron Jones, Betty Heino, Sarah Reide
Other guests in attendance: Chief Jason Hill, Captain Neil Heino
Community members in attendance: Lily Brower, Travis Reide, Emily Eagan, Sean Keil, Don
Harkins, Blake Howell, Bob Blankenship
DATE: February 25, 2026
Time: 6:35 pm
Place: Marion Fire District Community Center at 180 Gopher Lane, Marion, MT
PLEDGE
PUBLIC COMMENT
(Matters under the jurisdiction of the Marion Fire District Board of Trustees that are not on the
agenda may be addressed by the public at this time. However, the Board is generally
prohibited from taking action on matters until the public has been provided sufficient notice.)
- None
AGENDA
I. Roll Call and Establishment of Quorum was completed by Chairman Aaron Jones
II. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Aaron Jones
III. Consent to Agenda
a. Brian Dodge: Motion to consent to agenda
i. Sarah Reide seconded
ii. Motion passed
IV. Approve previous board minutes (1/29/2026)
a. Two updates:
i. Updating policy # for pay schedule: FM-01-00ii. Confirming dollar amounts for EMS education:
1. Estimate is $14,000 college charges for class
2. $11,000 amount reimburses back to department
b. Brian Dodge: Motion to approve January minutes with above corrections
i. Sarah Reide seconded
ii. Motion passed
V. Reports
a. Financial Reports
i. Review of Current Warrants / Claims for Payment
ii. Review of Treasurer’s Reports – completed by Sue Dexter, read by Chief
Jason Hill (see attached report)
1. 61% of budget as of 1/31 (concludes 7th month)
2. Boisvert’s is totally paid for now
3. PIO (new position) – cushioned in personnel budget
a. Discussion of current salary allocation within the budget
iii. Pintler Account Updates
iv. Betty Heino: Motion to accept Treasurer’s Report as documented
1. Brian Dodge seconded
2. Motion passed
b. Fire Chief report & updates – Chief Jason Hill (see attached report)
i. Calls overview – 1 correction: 15 calls since 1/29
ii. Overview of trainings
iii. Academy – starting March 6
1. 6 from Marion
2. 8 from outside agencies
a. $100 charge to cover printing, food expenses and
transportation to Bigfork tower
b. They are required to provide their own books
3. Auxiliary is providing lunches
iv. Ashley/McGregor = currently in general maintenance
v. Main station = general maintenance, prep for academy including building
props
vi. 1181 = testing turbo
vii. Bitterroot – waiting for actual spring to add more gravel on shoreline
viii. Boisvert’s – add grass once there is spring
ix. Community events:
1. Easter Pancake Breakfast – April 4th
c. EMS report – Captain Neil Heino
i. 5 new EMTs coming on board, 3 have tested out and received state
1. 3 of 4 endorsements
2. 1 new candidate that wants to join that is already state EMT
a. Total of 6 new EMTs
ii. Paramedic course – looking for the right person that will stay with the Department
II. Action Items
a. Review/approve movement of plow truck funds (operating, capital)
i. Discussion on when to finalize budget decisions for plow truck funds and
where money should be allocated
ii. Sarah Reide: Motion to table movement of plow truck funds from
operating to capital until May
1. Brian Dodge seconded
2. Motion passed
III. Additional discussion items:
a. EMS Education
i. New policy, contract
ii. Wait to add to agenda until further notice from Captain Neil
b. FD Board Bylaw review – Betty Heino
i. Reviewing bylaws against MT codes
1. Some MT state laws have changed so amendments have to be
brought up to date
2. Goal is to bring in one section of the bylaws to each board
meeting for review
c. PIO position
▪ Chief Jason: Restructuring role to cover more social media, redefining
position to act more in a 1099 style
▪ Potential conflict of interest for EMT to switch from volunteer to paid PIO
back to volunteer
IV. New business:
a. New board member in process
i. Travis Reide is awaiting paperwork from County Commissioner’s office
1. They have approved, need to notarize the form
2. Next month will likely be the start of term
b. Suggested that not more than half the board be a volunteer in the department
V. Announcements:
a. Next meeting: March 26th @ 6:30pm
VI. Adjournment – Time 7:15 pm
a. Betty Heino: Motion to adjourn
i. Sarah Reide seconded
ii. Motion passed.