4. Resolution 5675 - Legislative PrioritiesCity of Kalispell
Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903
Telephone: (406) 758-7701 Fax: (406) 758-7758
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To: Mayor Johnson and CoCity k From: Doug Russell, City Manager4V
Re: Resolution 5675 — Legislative Priorities
Meeting Date: May 19, 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 we are aware of that impact the legislative
priorities, adopting these areas provides a unified platform for members of council and municipal
staff to use when addressing our representatives for and during the upcoming legislative session.
Resolution 5675 includes the proposed set of legislative priorities that emerged previously and
from the work session on May 12, 2014. Those 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, 5) support for legislation that mitigates
the economic impact for increasing regulatory standards for municipalities, and 6) support for
legislation to assist with local infrastructure costs related to growth.
ALTERNATIVES: The City Council can reject, amend and adopt, or table the proposed set of
legislative priorities.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact for adopting a set of legislative priorities.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended the City Council move to adopt Resolution 5675
and the proposed set of legislative priorities.
I I I
RESOLUTION iRPRIORITIESOF
COUNCILTHE KALISPELL CITY i.
SESSIONLEGISLATIVE
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 May 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 19TH DAY OF MAY, 2014.
Mark Johnson
Mayor
ATTEST:
Theresa White
City Clerk
EXHIBIT "A"
City of Kalispell
Montana Legislative Priorities
May 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 who 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 supports
returning to previous parameters for the creation of special districts. The City of
Kalispell feels that the current requirements place unnecessary financial and procedural
burdens on special district creation.
- Impact Fee Legislation: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that will enhance local
opportunity for the management of impact fee requirements, including frequency of
review and board member requirements. The City of Kalispell feels that municipalities
have unique circumstances that would call for adjustments from the current requirements.
Environmental Quality: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that would mitigate
and/or remove the economic impacts of the unfunded liability caused by increased and
excessive regulatory standards on municipal operations such as water production and
wastewater treatment.
Public Infrastructure Assistance: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that would
assist in the local infrastructure costs associated with our rapid growth.