Voters returned former mayor and councilman Steve McCollum to the St. Ignatius Town Council, and during his first meeting back, his questions sparked some heated debate with the fire and police chiefs.  

McCollum questioned Fire Chief Paul Adams about the department's ISO rating — an assessment of the department's ability to respond to fire, which evaluates factors like training, equipment and water supply.  

The rating reflects fire response preparedness and impacts insurance premiums. With the department’s rating at a 6.9, McCollum called it “pretty high.”  

McCollum said he called his insurance company because there was a $435 increase last year due to this rating.  

“If I go to a seven, I could be denied insurance. I had this insurance company for almost 40 years, and it jumped to $1,350 because of the new ISO rating,” McCollum said.  

Adams questioned what McCollum meant by the new ISO rating, since it has been the rating for several years and was the rating prior to Adams becoming chief in December of 2022.  

McCollum said the ISO office told him one of the bigger issues was the department's inability to provide paperwork and suggested that Adams call them for help. But Adams said he had the paperwork to provide them.  

Mayor Daren Incashola attempted to cut in and explain that this rating was done three years ago.  

“I know. What I’m saying is, Paul, redo your ISO rating, seriously,” McCollum said.  

“Yes, okay, I got the point, thank you,” Adams said.  

Incashola asked how often the ISO office does an ISO rating, and McCollum said all the chief had to do is call them, then told Adams, “Don’t get pissy with me.”  

“Let’s tone it down and end this on a reasonable hour, gentleman. We can always do this outside,” Police Chief Jason Acheson said.  

Adams asked McCollum if he called first to check on any of this, and McCollum said he called the insurance company first and “got into fights with them.” Once he learned it was due to the rating, McCollum said he called the Polson fire chief to get the ISO office number.  

Adams said he could have directly provided that information had McCollum reached out to him, and McCollum said, “I don’t have your number.”  

As the conversation ended, Councilwoman Janis Heffern told Adams he’s been doing a great job.  Towards the end of the meeting, McCollum said he will have many questions for Adams and Acheson in the future, and he is not picking on Adams.  

“I don’t like it when you blow back at me, when I ask you a question,” McCollum said.  

Acheson cut back in and explained that he had invited McCollum to multiple meetings, and McCollum had shown no interest in attending.  

“I bust my ass around this community, people know,” Acheson said.  

“Don’t get defensive with me,” McCollum said to Acheson.  

Incashola said everyone will have to work together and told McCollum to notify the chiefs of his questions before the meetings, so they can provide the information.  

Judge Mary Leishman stepped down from the bench, and Mission Town Council will be seeking a new judge. Leishman also served as town clerk and treasurer for a decade before she switched jobs. Amberly Walker was hired as the new town clerk in August, while Leishman continued to serve as judge for the last five months.  

Incashola said the requirements for a judge include being a resident of Lake County and completing a couple of days of judge school. For anyone interested, he said a letter of interest must be emailed to the town clerk at [email protected] before Monday, Jan. 26. In the meantime, Judge Leishman will serve until the Feb. 9 court date.  

Incashola said the council will review applicants and likely appoint someone during the Feb. 3 meeting.

In other business, the council unanimously passed the golf cart ordinance, which will allow the carts to be driven on city streets once again. The ordinance requires carts to have head lamps, a horn, a rear-view mirror and a reflector, which is in accordance with state law.  

The carts must go slower than 25 miles per hour, and the driver must have a valid driver’s license. The golf cart must also be registered with the county and comply with motor vehicle regulations.  

Councilman Chris Heffern was nominated and unanimously elected as council president.