H6. Legislative PrioritiesCITY OF City of Kalispell
KALISPELL Post Office Box 1997 -Kalispell, Montana 59903
Telephone: (406) 758-7701 Fax: (406) 758-7758
MEMORANDUM
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Doug Russell, City Manager
Re: Legislative Priorities
Meeting Date: September 6, 2022
BACKGROUND: At the work session on August 22, the City Council reviewed a set of
legislative priorities to provide guidance for potential legislation in the upcoming legislative
session. Adopting these priorities provides a unified platform for members of council and
municipal staff to use when addressing our representatives prior to, and during the upcoming
legislative session.
The set of legislative priorities includes the following: 1) support of a local option sales tax, 2)
support for maintaining tax increment financing as an economic development tool, 3) support for
streamlining special district legislation, 4) support for legislation that mitigates the economic
impact for increasing regulatory standards for municipalities, 5) support for legislation that
addresses infrastructure needs associated with rapid growth, 6) support for legislation that
provides effective public resource management, 7) support for legislation that provides options
to enhance or improve service delivery for the City of Kalispell, and 8) support for legislation
that supports and facilitates affordable housing.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that City Council move to adopt the presented
priorities.
ATTACHEMENT: 2022 Legislative Priorities
CITY OF
KALISPELL
Legislative Priorities
The City of Kalispell is supportive of efforts to improve financial options related to all areas
of municipal operations where local control and decision -making can be effectively applied.
While this list of priorities does not single out any specific proposed bill, in general the City of
Kalispell has identified these areas of policy interest.
- Local Option Sales Tax: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that provides local
communities the option of enacting a voter approved sales tax (or increasing the population
limit of the current resort tax) within municipal limits that would provide an opportunity to
maintain infrastructure and services for our community that is impacted by a large number
of people that do not reside within the City of Kalispell.
- Tax Increment Financing: The City of Kalispell supports existing or more expansive
legislation that provides municipalities the opportunity to use Tax Increment Districts as
part of an effective economic development strategy and opposes legislation that would limit
the effectiveness of the options currently present in state statutes.
- Special District Legislation: The City of Kalispell supports legislation enhancing the
opportunity for the creation of special districts. The City of Kalispell feels the current
requirements place unnecessary financial and procedural burdens on special district
creation.
- Environmental Quality: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that would mitigate
the economic impacts of the unfunded liability caused by increased regulatory standards
on municipal operations such as water production, wastewater treatment, solid waste, and
storm water management.
- Public Infrastructure Assistance: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that assists
in all areas of local infrastructure costs associated with growth and development. The City
of Kalispell also opposes legislation that decreases or removes current revenue streams.
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Public Resource Management: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that provides for
the effective use and management of land resources, including management of forest lands,
the use of the public right-of-way, and land use regulations associated with development.
Service Delivery: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that enhances the opportunities
for expanding service delivery options throughout all areas of municipal operations, including
revising legislation that limits the options available to communities to take advantage of
alternative and innovative service delivery methods, rate establishment, and revenue streams.
Affordable Housing: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that provides funding sources
and programs that facilitate the development of affordable housing and affordable housing
initiatives.
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