NOTICE OF BIGFORK RURAL FIRE DISTRICT SPECIAL BOND AND LEVY ELECTION. VOTING SYSTEM EXHIBITION, DIAGRAM OF BALLOT, VOTING INSTRUCTIONS, BALLOT PREPARATION. PUBLIC TESTING, BALLOT COUNTING, and COUNTY CANVASS Notice is hereby given that on September 9th, 2025, an all-mail election will be held in Flathead County for the Bigfork Rural Fire District. The Bigfork Rural Fire District boundary lies partially in Lake County. Ballots must be returned to the Flathead County Election Office, 290B N Main, Kalispell, MT 59901, either in person or by mail. If you receive a ballot for this election from Lake County Elections, you must return it to the Lake County Election Office located at 500 1st Street East, Polson, MT 59860. Ballots must be received by 8:00PM on Election Day. The Flathead County Election Office and the Lake County Election Office are open from 8:00AM to 5:00PM Monday - Friday, and from 7:00AM to 8:00PM, on Election Day, September 9th, 2025. Electors will consider the following ballot measures at said election: Bigfork Rural Fire District Bond: Shall the Board of Trustees (the "Board") of the Bigfork Rural Fire District, Montana (the "District") be authorized to sell and issue general obligation bonds in a principal amount not to exceed Fifteen Million and No/100 Dollars ($15,000,000), bearing interest at rates to be determined at the time of the sale, payable semiannually, during a term of not more than twenty (20) years, for the purpose of paying the costs of designing, constructing, equipping, and furnishing on land owned by the District located at 925 Chapman Hill Road a new fire station in replacement of Station 31, with the new fire station consisting of space to be used as District headquarters and to accommodate fire department command and administrative staff, firefighter living and working space, a public reception and meeting area, pull-through apparatus bays, a decontamination wash bay, a workshop, a gear wash room, decontamination showers, medical aid room, storage, and site improvements; related improvements and costs; and if bond proceeds are available after paying the foregoing new fire station costs, paying costs of repairing and upgrading Station 32 at 735 Echo Lake Road and/or Station 33 at 14688 Sylvan Drive; and paying costs associated with the sale and issuance of the bonds? If the bond election passes, based on the estimated taxable value of the District, the District estimates that property taxes on a home with an assessed market value for tax purposes of $100,000 would increase by $23.46 in the first year, of $300,000 would increase by $75.61 in the first year, and of$600,000 would increase by $159.31 in the first year. An increase in property taxes may lead to an increase in rental costs. Bigfork Rural Fire District Levy: Shall the Board of Trustees (the "Board") of the Bigfork Rural Fire District, Montana (the "District") be authorized to levy permanently up to 27.13 mills per year, currently raising approximately $1,200,000 annually, for the purpose of paying costs of retaining and hiring fulltime firefighters/emergency medical service personnel and support personnel, providing training, equipment, and safety gear, and paying associated operation costs and expenses? If this mill levy proposition passes, based on the estimated taxable value of the District, the District estimates that the annual property taxes on a home with an assessed market value for tax purposes of $100,000 would increase by $23.19, of $300,000 would increase by $74.73, and of$600,000 would increase by $157.47. An increase in property taxes may lead to an increase in rental costs. Ballots will be automatically mailed to all qualified electors on August 22nd, 2025. A qualified registered elector who will be absent from the district during the time the election is being conducted may: a) vote in person at the Flathead County Election Office, or if you are a Lake County resident you may vote at the Lake County Election Office as soon as the ballots are available; b) make a written request, signed by the applicant and addressed to the Flathead (or Lake) County Election Office, that the ballot is mailed to an address other than the address that appears on the registration application. If you miss the regular registration deadline on August 11th, you may still register for the election by appearing in person at the Flathead (or Lake) County Election Office until 12 noon Monday, September 8th, 2025, and from 7:00AM until 8:00PM on Election Day. If you do not receive your ballot, and you are an active elector, contact the Flathead County Election Office at 406-755-5535 or Lake County Elections Office at 406 883-7269. To check your voter registration status, please go to the My Voter Page on the Montana Secretary of State website: https://prodvoterportal.mt.gov/WhereToVote.aspx. VOTING SYSTEM EXHIBITION A DS950 Digital Central Scan Paper Tabulator and an ExpressVote are on display in the Flathead County Election Office, 290B N Main, Kalispell, MT 59901. The ExpessVote system is also on display at the Lake County Election Office, 500 1st Street East, Polson, MT 59860. 1 2. The ES&S ExpressVote is a ballot-marking device that is available at the Flathead County Election Office to assist voters with disabilities in marking their ballot privately and independently. Other arrangements for reasonable accommodation can be made by contacting the Flathead County Election Office at 406-755-5535 or the Lake County Election Office at 406-883-7269. 3.d A sample diagram of the ballot layout and instructions on voting the ballot is provided below. Sample County INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS 1. TO VOTE, BLACKEN ( ) THE OVAL COMPLETELY. An oval blackened completely to the left of the candidate or ballot issue choice indicates a vote for that candidate or a vote on the ballot issue. 2. To write in a name, blacken the oval to the left of the line provided, and write in the name (or affix a pre-printed label) in the blank space(s) for the write-in candidate(s) for whom you wish to vote. 3. DO NOT CROSS OUT. If you make a mistake or change your mind, exchange your ballot for a new one. VOTE IN ALL COLUMNS [VOTE BOTH SIDES] State of Montana FEDERAL AND STATE (Continued) FOR UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE (VOTE FOR ONE) 000 000000 FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER (VOTE FOR TWO) 000 Election Date NONPARTISAN-STATE (Continued) FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 1, DEPT. 4 (VOTE FOR ONE) PREPARATION. RECONCILIATION, PUBLIC TESTING. COUNTING OF BALLOTS. AND CANVASS OF ELECTION Early preparation and reconciliation of ballots will begin on September 8th, 2025, at 9:00 AM, in the Flathead County Election Office, 290B N Main, Kalispell, MT 59901. Public testing of the tabulator will begin at 3PM on August 26th, 2025. Ballots will be counted on election day, September 9th, 2025, beginning at approximately 4:00PM at the Flathead County Election Office, Sperry Conference Room, Floor 2, 290 N Main, Kalispell, MT 59901. No results will be released until after 8:00PM on Election Day. Observers must check in with the Flathead County Election Office to be escorted to the counting location. The public is welcome to observe. Montana law requires that any person participating or observing the procedures of the count is required to take an oath that they will not discuss the results of the early counting of votes at any time prior to the closing of the polls on Élection Day. A person who knowingly violates this law shall be imprisoned for a term not to exceed two years and/or be fined an amount not less than $100,000 and not more than $500,000. The County Canvass will be held in the Commissioners' Chambers, located at 800 S. Main, Kalispell, MT, 59901, on September 18th, 2025, at 9:00AM. Dated this 20th day of August 2025. Paula Buff, Flathead County Elections Manager Published in the Daily Inter Lake and the Lake County Leader on or about August 21st, 28th and September 4th, 2025 MNAXLP NOTICE OF BIGFORK RURAL FIRE DISTRICT SPECIAL BOND AND LEVY ELECTION . VOTING SYSTEM EXHIBITION , DIAGRAM OF BALLOT , VOTING INSTRUCTIONS , BALLOT PREPARATION . PUBLIC TESTING , BALLOT COUNTING , and COUNTY CANVASS Notice is hereby given that on September 9th , 2025 , an all - mail election will be held in Flathead County for the Bigfork Rural Fire District . The Bigfork Rural Fire District boundary lies partially in Lake County . Ballots must be returned to the Flathead County Election Office , 290B N Main , Kalispell , MT 59901 , either in person or by mail . If you receive a ballot for this election from Lake County Elections , you must return it to the Lake County Election Office located at 500 1st Street East , Polson , MT 59860. Ballots must be received by 8:00 PM on Election Day . The Flathead County Election Office and the Lake County Election Office are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday - Friday , and from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM , on Election Day , September 9th , 2025 . Electors will consider the following ballot measures at said election : Bigfork Rural Fire District Bond : Shall the Board of Trustees ( the " Board " ) of the Bigfork Rural Fire District , Montana ( the " District " ) be authorized to sell and issue general obligation bonds in a principal amount not to exceed Fifteen Million and No / 100 Dollars ( $ 15,000,000 ) , bearing interest at rates to be determined at the time of the sale , payable semiannually , during a term of not more than twenty ( 20 ) years , for the purpose of paying the costs of designing , constructing , equipping , and furnishing on land owned by the District located at 925 Chapman Hill Road a new fire station in replacement of Station 31 , with the new fire station consisting of space to be used as District headquarters and to accommodate fire department command and administrative staff , firefighter living and working space , a public reception and meeting area , pull - through apparatus bays , a decontamination wash bay , a workshop , a gear wash room , decontamination showers , medical aid room , storage , and site improvements ; related improvements and costs ; and if bond proceeds are available after paying the foregoing new fire station costs , paying costs of repairing and upgrading Station 32 at 735 Echo Lake Road and / or Station 33 at 14688 Sylvan Drive ; and paying costs associated with the sale and issuance of the bonds ? If the bond election passes , based on the estimated taxable value of the District , the District estimates that property taxes on a home with an assessed market value for tax purposes of $ 100,000 would increase by $ 23.46 in the first year , of $ 300,000 would increase by $ 75.61 in the first year , and of $ 600,000 would increase by $ 159.31 in the first year . An increase in property taxes may lead to an increase in rental costs . Bigfork Rural Fire District Levy : Shall the Board of Trustees ( the " Board " ) of the Bigfork Rural Fire District , Montana ( the " District " ) be authorized to levy permanently up to 27.13 mills per year , currently raising approximately $ 1,200,000 annually , for the purpose of paying costs of retaining and hiring fulltime firefighters / emergency medical service personnel and support personnel , providing training , equipment , and safety gear , and paying associated operation costs and expenses ? If this mill levy proposition passes , based on the estimated taxable value of the District , the District estimates that the annual property taxes on a home with an assessed market value for tax purposes of $ 100,000 would increase by $ 23.19 , of $ 300,000 would increase by $ 74.73 , and of $ 600,000 would increase by $ 157.47 . An increase in property taxes may lead to an increase in rental costs . Ballots will be automatically mailed to all qualified electors on August 22nd , 2025. A qualified registered elector who will be absent from the district during the time the election is being conducted may : a ) vote in person at the Flathead County Election Office , or if you are a Lake County resident you may vote at the Lake County Election Office as soon as the ballots are available ; b ) make a written request , signed by the applicant and addressed to the Flathead ( or Lake ) County Election Office , that the ballot is mailed to an address other than the address that appears on the registration application . If you miss the regular registration deadline on August 11th , you may still register for the election by appearing in person at the Flathead ( or Lake ) County Election Office until 12 noon Monday , September 8th , 2025 , and from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM on Election Day . If you do not receive your ballot , and you are an active elector , contact the Flathead County Election Office at 406-755-5535 or Lake County Elections Office at 406 883-7269 . To check your voter registration status , please go to the My Voter Page on the Montana Secretary of State website : https://prodvoterportal.mt.gov/WhereToVote.aspx . VOTING SYSTEM EXHIBITION A DS950 Digital Central Scan Paper Tabulator and an ExpressVote are on display in the Flathead County Election Office , 290B N Main , Kalispell , MT 59901. The ExpessVote system is also on display at the Lake County Election Office , 500 1st Street East , Polson , MT 59860 . 1 2 . The ES & S ExpressVote is a ballot - marking device that is available at the Flathead County Election Office to assist voters with disabilities in marking their ballot privately and independently . Other arrangements for reasonable accommodation can be made by contacting the Flathead County Election Office at 406-755-5535 or the Lake County Election Office at 406-883-7269 . 3.d A sample diagram of the ballot layout and instructions on voting the ballot is provided below . Sample County INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS 1. TO VOTE , BLACKEN ( ) THE OVAL COMPLETELY . An oval blackened completely to the left of the candidate or ballot issue choice indicates a vote for that candidate or a vote on the ballot issue . 2. To write in a name , blacken the oval to the left of the line provided , and write in the name ( or affix a pre - printed label ) in the blank space ( s ) for the write - in candidate ( s ) for whom you wish to vote . 3. DO NOT CROSS OUT . If you make a mistake or change your mind , exchange your ballot for a new one . VOTE IN ALL COLUMNS [ VOTE BOTH SIDES ] State of Montana FEDERAL AND STATE ( Continued ) FOR UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE ( VOTE FOR ONE ) 000 000000 FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER ( VOTE FOR TWO ) 000 Election Date NONPARTISAN - STATE ( Continued ) FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGE DISTRICT 1 , DEPT . 4 ( VOTE FOR ONE ) PREPARATION . RECONCILIATION , PUBLIC TESTING . COUNTING OF BALLOTS . AND CANVASS OF ELECTION Early preparation and reconciliation of ballots will begin on September 8th , 2025 , at 9:00 AM , in the Flathead County Election Office , 290B N Main , Kalispell , MT 59901. Public testing of the tabulator will begin at 3PM on August 26th , 2025. Ballots will be counted on election day , September 9th , 2025 , beginning at approximately 4:00 PM at the Flathead County Election Office , Sperry Conference Room , Floor 2 , 290 N Main , Kalispell , MT 59901. No results will be released until after 8:00 PM on Election Day . Observers must check in with the Flathead County Election Office to be escorted to the counting location . The public is welcome to observe . Montana law requires that any person participating or observing the procedures of the count is required to take an oath that they will not discuss the results of the early counting of votes at any time prior to the closing of the polls on Élection Day . A person who knowingly violates this law shall be imprisoned for a term not to exceed two years and / or be fined an amount not less than $ 100,000 and not more than $ 500,000 . The County Canvass will be held in the Commissioners ' Chambers , located at 800 S. Main , Kalispell , MT , 59901 , on September 18th , 2025 , at 9:00 AM . Dated this 20th day of August 2025 . Paula Buff , Flathead County Elections Manager Published in the Daily Inter Lake and the Lake County Leader on or about August 21st , 28th and September 4th , 2025 MNAXLP