Kalispell City Council begins 2018 budget work sessions
Beginning Monday, Kalispell City Council will hold work sessions to discuss the city’s budget for the 2018 fiscal year.
According to the preliminary budget released by the city manager, the city has proposed an $80 million budget for the coming year, a 17.6 percent increase from the $68 million budget for 2017.
Much of the increase is due to a $22 million TIGER grant awarded to the city, putting more focus and spending into major projects such as the Fourth Avenue East reconstruction, construction of a section of the Westside Sewer Interceptor, creation of the new railway park and the redevelopment of the CORE area.
“Combined with last year’s efforts, we are seeing an emphasis on infrastructure as guiding the process for budget development,” the preliminary report said.
Construction on Fourth Avenue East will replace about 14 blocks of outdated water main and road. As part of the project, transportation will return to two-way travel on Third and Fourth Avenues, as has been identified in the transportation plan and has been reaffirmed with discussion at the council level in preparation for the project.
When finished, the West Side Sewer Interceptor will be a 7.2-mile pipeline that would relieve the system from material flowing from west-side neighborhoods. It would also allow the system to accommodate more development in one of Kalispell’s fastest-growing areas, running under the U.S. 93 bypass south of U.S. 2.
Along with encouraging redevelopment along storefronts, the CORE Area plan includes removing the railroad tracks from downtown, reconnecting disjointed streets and building a pathway system linking pedestrians to shops and parks. In addition, the construction of the Glacier Rail Park where rail-reliant businesses will be relocated is anticipated to begin this summer.
Property tax is the primary source of revenue for the general fund. According to the preliminary report, the proposed 2018 budget is based on service levels needed to accomplish each department’s budgeted goals, balanced with the funding available.
Expenditures in the general fund are budgeted at $11.4 million for 2018, a 4.8-percent increase from the total expenditures adopted in the 2017 budget.
Notable increases in budgeting areas include an anticipated 8.6-percent increase for fire, 7.3-percent increase for police, 22.6-percent increase for public works and 5.8-percent increase for the mayor and council.
The planning department, community development, municipal court, attorney, finance, city clerk, human resources and city manager departments are expected to stay within a 1- and 3-percent increase from last year’s budget.
City hall is expected to see a 5.2-percent decrease from last year’s budget.
City employees are expected to receive a 1.8-percent increase in health-care coverage and an overall 2.8-percent labor pay increase.
The city expects to increase employment with the addition of a school resource officer at Flathead Valley Community College and a new Building Department employee.
During the budgeting meetings scheduled for May 8, 10 and 11, each department will have the opportunity to present its own budget proposals, outlining future expenditures and projects on its agendas.
At that time, council will decide whether to increase or decrease the budget for each department.
Other topics expected to come up during discussions are the future of the airport and possible rate increases for storm water and forestry assessments.
Meetings will be held May 8, 10 and 11 at 6 p.m. at Kalispell City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.
May 8 will include a general overview, public works and miscellaneous departments.
May 10 will focus on the fire/EMS departments, police department, building/planning department, community and economic development department.
May 11 will include parks and recreation department and information technology.
For more information, visit http://www.kalispell.com/mayor_and_city_council/agenda.php.
Reporter Mary Cloud Taylor can be reached at 758-4459 or mtaylor@dailyinterlake.com.