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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