The Kalispell City Council meets for a Regular Session Monday night and, moving forward with last week’s Work Session, the Council will vote to adopt the City’s priorities for the 69th Montana Legislature. Those include legislation for an option to allow voters to decide if they want a Local Option Sales Tax, similar to what they have in Whitefish and Columbia Falls.
The Council would also like the Legislature to expand the use of Tax Increment Financing to other projects. The City continues to struggle with unfunded mandates for environmental quality impacts. The Council feels the State can provide more assistance to create affordable housing and funding for Mental and Behavioral Health. The City won’t employ a lobbyist, even though Whitefish, Bozeman, Belgrade, Billings and Missoula have done so.
The Kalispell Downtown Association and the Downtown Business Improvement District is asking the Council to approve $100,000 in TIF funds over the next 5-years for technical assistance for additional facade improvements in the downtown.
