Recount likely for 911 ballot measure

The Flathead County emergency services ballot measure came within 11 votes of passing after provisional ballots were tallied on Nov. 10. The Flathead County commissioners will decide whether to move forward with a recount.

Provisional ballots are used by late voters who have moved into the county or have moved here from another Montana county and when there are questions about voter eligibility.

The ballot measure was 71 votes shy of passing before the provisional ballots were counted. The latest tally came to 15,201 votes in favor and 15,212 against. County administrator Mike Pence says he will recommend a recount.

“It was a huge pickup for a relatively small number of ballots,” Pence said. “We’re just 11 votes under the nose. I’m definitely going to recommend a recount, and I’m reasonably sure it will happen ... it’s probably worth taking a shot.”

Flathead County Clerk and Recorder and Elections Administrator Paula Robinson said last week she would use as many county employees as possible to conduct such a recount. She estimated she would need 16 to 20 people to complete the task.

The ballot measure calls for creating a special countywide district to provide an equitable source of ongoing funding for the 911 dispatch system.

The district would be funded with a flat annual fee of $25 per residential unit or $50 for each commercial unit, up to a maximum of 30 units for each commercial property. The fees are expected to raise about $1.8 million annually.

The district would eliminate a double-taxation issue, where residents of Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls pay both city and county taxes for the consolidated center.