City council votes to allow police and fire departments to be stationed 60 miles from city limits

MISSOULA – Citing housing costs, the Missoula City Council on Monday approved a change to the city's ordinance that would allow police officers and firefighters to live further outside city limits.

The request was presented to the council last month by Police Chief Mike Colyer, who said the department has struggled at times to recruit qualified applicants due to housing costs in Missoula. He said the department has lost applicants at various stages of the application process due to housing costs.

“I don't think this is a panacea that will solve all of our problems, but if this change helps us find a qualified person here or there, or retain a qualified person we've already hired so they can continue their career, then it would be worth the effort,” Colyer said.

On Monday, council members unanimously approved the amendment, which sets residency requirements for police and firefighters.

As adopted, all police officers and firefighters employed by the city must reside in the city “or an area within 60 miles of the city limits of Missoula.” It also provides for justified exceptions if one lives further away, “but within a reasonable response time.”

The median home price in the city of Missoula is $561,000, according to the Missoula Organization of Realtors. For comparison, the median home price in Sanders County is $373,000, while in Granite County it is $356,000. The median price for Missoula County as a whole is $562,000.

Council member Bob Campbell said allowing police officers to live up to 60 miles outside city limits could make recruitment easier and prevent police officers from getting into financial difficulties.

“That creates a much bigger affordability problem here in Missoula,” Campbell said. “I know firsthand of officers who want to come here and see the cost of living. It doesn't work for them because they can't afford it based on the salary that's being offered. A lot of times we lose qualified candidates.”