By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
Correction: Voter registration deadlines were corrected after this story was published.
In the May 2024 election, residents in Big Sky’s Firelight Meadows subdivision voted unanimously to create a water and sewer district to rectify environmental issues due to outdated septic infrastructure.
Despite unanimous support, Firelight fell one vote short of the minimum quota, and the effort failed. In the upcoming May 6 mail-in election, leaders are giving it another shot.
The community will need 40% of its registered voters to vote “yes” for creation of the district. Last year, 39.9% of registered Firelight voters cast their ballots—all 107 in support.
The goal remains to connect to the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District, whose new Water Resource Recovery Facility treats wastewater to a substantially higher standard. Currently, proponents say Firelight’s septic infrastructure pollutes the Gallatin River ecosystem.
A press release from volunteer residents of Firelight stated that connecting to Big Sky’s primary water and sewer district would be a “critical step toward securing sustainable infrastructure for [our] neighborhood… addressing deficiencies in the community’s current septic system, which is privately owned and cannot meet the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) updated treatment standards.”
After April 8, voters wanting to register must complete late registration in-person at the Gallatin County Elections Office during regular business hours through May 2, from 8 a.m. to noon on Monday, May 5, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, May 6. For Firelight Meadows residents, non-resident property owners can apply for a landowner ballot until April 11 at 5 p.m..
Those who missed a recent election may be inactive, and will not receive a ballot.
Voters can check registration status online at votemt.gov.
Ballots will be mailed April 18, and are due back by May 6.
“Firelight residents are encouraged to participate in this vote, which will shape the future of their community’s water and sewer infrastructure. For more information on voter registration or the district formation process, please contact Becky Brockie,” the release stated.
