Options for improving Polson’s streets
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The Polson City Commission would like to hear from you. Last year the Commission enacted an Economic Development Council, and one of their first projects was to take a look at how we might be able to make some improvements to our streets, which has continued to be a primary concern of our citizens. Our budget available for these activities is low (about $100,000 per year) and the costs of construction and maintenance are high (I’ve been told roughly $300,000 for one full block to be built).
At the June 20 meeting the EDC presented their findings and recommendations to the City Commission to address the streets issue. Their recommendation was as follows:
— Include a referendum on the November 2016 ballot asking the citizens to vote for or against a local Streets Levy. This levy would yield $500,000/ year for the Streets Department to utilize towards improving our streets in town. The financial cost to the citizen would be approximately $76.21 each year for a house valued at $100,000 (or $152.42 for a $200,000 house, and so on).
— Include a referendum on the November 2016 ballot asking the citizens to vote for or against a Resort Tax that would be for 3 percent on identified items (those considered luxury), and would be enacted seasonally (April – September).
That’s right, the recommendation was to offer two options to the citizens to vote on. Not a bad way to get a feel for what the community wants. But also, perhaps not the only way. We are keeping an open mind and will be discussing this at our next City Commission meeting.
The full report from the EDC is available on the City’s website, www.cityofpolson.com. I recommend reading that and becoming informed on the two options listed above. There is a lot of great information on the specifics of each of those programs, costs to the citizens, and challenges and benefits of each.
In order to make the decision on what exactly to put on the ballot in November, the City Commission would really like to hear from our citizens. We are asking you to call, email, or write to us prior to July 17 to share your thoughts on these two options. Personally I can be reached at the following: 406-212-0489 or mayor@ cityofpolson.com.
If you want to contact your own ward representative, their emails are all available on the City’s website, www. cityofpolson.com.
We do want to thank the EDC for all the work and time they have put into this project thus far. They have done an incredible job at sorting through a large amount of information, reaching out to the community, having several meetings throughout the year, and coming together to make a recommendation.
We look forward to hearing from you.
