Officials in Columbia Falls and Whitefish don't intend to ask the White House to reimburse municipal coffers for costs tied to President Donald Trump's visit to the Flathead Valley last month.  

Whitefish spent $3,755.05 in overtime wages for five police officers who provided security at the event, according to City Manager Dana Meeker. Over in Columbia Falls, City Manager Eric Hanks estimated that the municipality racked up fewer than a couple of thousand dollars in expenses, though he did not have an exact figure.  

Both cities incurred far less costs in accommodating the commander in chief than Kalispell and Flathead County, which also chose to eat the bill associated with the president's visit. 

Trump visited the Majestic Valley Arena on Oct. 14 to stump for Aaron Flint, the Republican candidate to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke in Montana's western congressional district. Flint ultimately fell short, losing to Democrat Sam Forstag on Nov. 3. 

Meeker said that Whitefish did not incur any costs in the days leading up to the rally because Police Chief Bridger Kelch — who was involved in preparation for Trump's arrival — is exempt from overtime pay. 

Hanks said a handful of Columbia Falls Police officers were deployed to aid the Flathead County Sheriff's Office, but he did not know where they were stationed specifically. 

The city adjusted its officers' schedules to minimize overtime, but the change didn't affect the department's day-to-day operations, according to Hanks.  

Hanks said he does not intend to invoice the federal government because of the small financial impact it had on the city.  

"It was such a minor thing for us," he said. 

Meeker similarly said that Whitefish does not intend to seek reimbursement.  

WHILE COLUMBIA Falls and Whitefish spent only a few thousand dollars helping host Trump, Kalispell and Flathead County spent more than $100,000 combined on security and emergency services.  

Kalispell's bill came out to $45,781.39, which was primarily attributed to overtime pay for police and fire staff in the lead up to the event as well as the rally itself. City Manager Jarod Nygren said 44 city personnel committed roughly 500 hours to help prepare for the visit.  

Mayor Ryan Hunter failed to garner majority support from City Council to bill the White House for the costs. He argued that taxpayers should not be responsible for covering the cost of a private campaign event, especially when the candidates involved spent millions on their campaigns.  

Councilors Wes Walker and Sid Daoud were the only members of Council to support Hunter's proposal.  

Most of Flathead County's $58,000 bill stemmed from overtime wages for Sheriff's Office personnel who assisted the Secret Service with security in the week leading up to the rally and on the day of the event, according to county officials. 

Sticking with precedent established during previous campaign events by former Vice Presidents Mike Pence and Dick Cheney, the county opted against seeking reimbursement from the federal government, according to county officials. 

Hosting the president was a major logistical operation that involved roughly 230 law enforcement and emergency services personnel across several local, state and federal agencies. Trump's roughly three-hour visit prompted temporary closures on U.S. 93 and U.S. 2 as well as flight restrictions over Kalispell that briefly paused commercial flights. 

ATTENDEES OF Trump's rally may have seen Border Patrol agents, who were there to assist with security, according to a Customs and Border Protection spokesperson. 

"It is common practice for Border Patrol agents to assist other law enforcement agencies, such as Secret Service, with security at high-profile events," the spokesperson said in an email to the Inter Lake. 

Border Patrol did not make any arrests at the event, the spokesperson said. 

Any costs the federal agency incurred were minimal because the agents were stationed in the area and working during normal duty hours, according to federal officials.   

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 406-758-4407 or [email protected].