Star Valley Ranch and Thayne have been working together to formalize the Mid Valley Fire District to encompass Thayne to Etna. Last week’s town council meetings had different outcomes, however. Thayne approved the contract to allow Mid Valley Fire to take over their fire protection, but Star Valley Ranch’s council did not.

“There was some concern from my town council because it was a three-way contract, so they didn’t like the way it was written,” said Star Valley Ranch Mayor Kathleen Buyers. “Now it’s changed since Thayne approved it and we did not. Now we have a separate contract with the fire district.” 

County residents overwhelmingly approved the district when it was on the ballot two years ago. The Town of Star Valley Ranch currently contracts with Thayne’s fire department to provide firefighting. The current contract expires in 90 days, so there is a time crunch to get a new contract approved. State statute requires a town to provide fire protection.

“My biggest concern is that the town council would walk away and not have fire protection for our town,” Buyers said.

Without fire protection in the town, residents’ homeowner insurance could skyrocket. 

Mayor Buyers called a special meeting to approve the contract. That meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 30 at 9 a.m. and will be open to the public.