H2. Urban Forestry PHx 4 City of Kalispell
201 lst Ave E. P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997
1; 0N7AP1 i 1 (406) 758-7757 Fax (406) 758-7758
TO: Doug Russell, City ManagerV-
FROM: Chad Fincher, Director, Kalispell Parks & Recreation
SUBJECT: Urban Forestry Assessment
MEETING DATE: August 7, 2017
BACKGROUND: Council has been discussing the forestry fund for the past several years
during budget development and adoption. Discussions have led to increasing the contracting
amount for tree removals and pruning, and a review of service levels as it relates to resources.
Over the past few months, council workshops have consisted of Council reviewing the current
forestry budget program and levels of service. Currently the forestry assessment is .00171 per
square foot with residential, vacant and park land capped at $150 and commercial capped at
$300. Council has been presented funding options (assessment increases, cap removals, raising
caps, increasing contracted services, etc.) to address hazard trees, deferred maintenance, and
increasing the level of service.
Council has weighed numerous budgetary scenarios, levels of service and programming options
while considering proposed assessment increases. At the July 10 workshop, Council was
presented two assessment considerations and determined they would take both to a regular
council meeting for discussion and vote. During the July 17, 2017 meeting, Council passed a
Resolution of intent to increase the Urban Forestry Assessment associated with Option 2, which
would raise the tax assessment to .0047025 with residential, parkland and vacant caps at $413
and commercial caps at $825. This option provides increased level of service until the end of
FY 28.
Prior to initiating any increase in the assessment, the city is required to hold a public hearing on
the matter after giving due and proper notice of said hearing, and to maintain a list with the City
Clerk setting forth the proposed assessments per parcel per Montana Code Annotated 7-12-
4177. The proposed assessment notice was advertised via local newspaper and sent to all
property owners within city limits. The notice provides assessment increase information and
directs the public regarding how to provide input on the proposed amendments. As of August 2,
the City has logged 18 comments from the public. The log and the notice are attached for
Council reference.
ATTACHMENTS: Proposed Assessment Increase Notice Mailed to Property Owners
Urban Forestry Customer Comment Log
CITY OF KALISPELL
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED RATE INCREASE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that on the 7th day of August, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., in the
Council Chambers, City Hall, 2011 st Avenue East, Kalispell, Montana, the City Council of the City
of Kalispell shall hold a Public Hearing on a proposal to increase assessments on real property within
the City of Kalispell for the costs of the Urban Forestry District.
Any person wishing to address the proposed assessment rate increase may appear at this
hearing and make oral statements or present same in writing. Written comments may also be
submitted for Council consideration by delivering the same to the City Clerk at 201 First Avenue
East, Kalispell, MT 59901, or by email to cityclerkCc)kalispell.com prior to the hearing.
If there are questions that might be answered by telephone please call (406) 758-7960.
Proposed Urban Forestry District Assessments
The proposed urban forestry tax assessment for all properties within the limits of the city is
an annual assessment of .0047025 with residential, parkland and vacant caps at $413 and commercial
caps at $825. This assessment would provide increased levels of service until the end of fiscal year
2028.
The following table provides an assessment adjustment comparison for residential and
commercial properties.
Category
Square
Feet
Current Assessment
.00171
Current
Cap
Proposed Assessment
.0047025
Proposed
Cap
Residential
8,926
$15.26
$150.00
$41.97
$413.00
Commercial
31,191
$53.33
$300.00
$146.67
$825.00
Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
Publish: July 21, 2017
July 27, 2017
�
F--
�--•
w
w
w
w
w
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
d
00
00
00
00
-1
-1
-1
r�
C
n
n
AD
d
W
n
c.�S
Y
CD
0
CD
C
c�D
t
p
N
O
CD
p
CD
CD ,..
CD
n
CD
>
rr
CD
CJ
ro
CD
CD
CD
�t
CD
A�
v
CD
O
CD
CD
-t
CD
7q
CD
°
cn
CD
O
CDCD
N
(D
CD
O
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
n
C-°
C:L
a.
0.
CL
0..
0z
OL
sL
a.
a
a
�:s
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
¢
o
rnrn
rn
rnrnrn
m
rn
o
��
n�
��
�-
CD
CD
CD �.
C/) °
h
CD
= ~O
CD
CD
— •
YY>
Y
>
CAD
CD
N
¢�°
o
��
v�vv�
uq
0
00
0
�-CD
p
' "�
CL
`�
~�
n
x
x
c
CD C3 O
cr
�»
cn
cn
�
cn
cn
cn
o
0 0
O°
>C
CAD t3
CD
0
�
Qn
CD
CD
O
v
CD
0`C
CD
"
CAD CD
�
as o
o
CD
0
CD
CD
g
oCD
au
�
°
CD
a
o
vo
CD CD
o
>
>
>
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CD
CDC
C(D
CD
z
p
CD
N
N >
A�
uo
v (py O
C
Cp
V) CD
"
C.,
—
:�
CD
CD
CD'
t3
O
n
CD
Q
r '
;S
CD ,
A� „
R.
ConCD
r
7S
N
aq
CD
U`�
Q
p
CD
C
°
O
-q
C
�'
�'
CD
v
-h
O
CND
��
¢
cr
cr
M
CD
n U�Q
CD
S:o
CD
CD
UQ
nCD
p,
.0,
0
C
CD
p
cn
CD
W,
ii