5. Resolution 5671 - Legislative Prioritiesv
City o Kalispell
Post Office Box 1997• 990.
To: Mayor Johnson and City Council
From: Doug Russell, City Manager
Re: Legislative priorities
Meeting Date: April 21, 2014
BACKGROUND: In discussions related to state legislation impacting municipal activities, the
City Council has discussed the potential of adopting a set of legislative priorities for the
upcoming legislative session.
Though there are not any specific pieces of legislation that we are aware of that impact these
legislative priorities, adopting these priorities provide a unified platform for members of council
and municipal staff to use when addressing our representatives for and during the upcoming
legislative session.
The proposed set of legislative priorities include: 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 provides consistency in the
application of impact fee legislation, and 5) support for legislation that mitigates the economic
impact for increasing regulatory standards for municipalities.
ALTERNATIVES: The City Council can reject, amend and adopt, or table the proposed set of
legislative priorities.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is not a financial impact for adopting a set of legislative priorities.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council move to adopt the proposed
set of legislative priorities.
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A RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH THE STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES OF
THE KALISPELL CITY COUNCIL REGARDING THE 2015 MONTANA STATE
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
WHEREAS, the Montana State Legislature will convene in 2015 to consider proposed
legislation that will affect the governance of the City of Kalispell and its
residents; and
WHEREAS, the Kalispell City Council finds that it is in the best interests of the City that it
consider and set forth a list of priorities regarding the discussion of future state
legislation as it affects local government so that a clear focus may be attained and
utilized in communications with state legislators, state agencies, and other local
governments as proposed legislation is drafted and discussed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KALISPELL AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the "City of Kalispell Montana Legislative Priorities April 2014",
attached hereto as Exhibit "A" is hereby approved and adopted as the
legislative priority issues of importance in the governance of the City of
Kalispell for the Montana 2015 Legislative Session.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF
THE CITY OF KALISPELL THIS 21 ST DAY OF APRIL, 2014.
Mark Johnson
Mayor
ATTEST:
Theresa White
City Clerk
EXHIBIT 66A"
City of Kalispell
Montana Legislative Priorities
April 2014
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 five areas of policy interest.
- Local Option Sales Tax: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that would provide
local communities the option of enacting a voter approved sales 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 that would
streamline the ability to establish special districts.
- Impact Fee legislation: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that will provide long
term consistency for municipalities, developers, and builders within the impact fee
regulations.
- 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 and wastewater treatment.