Columbia Falls native Piper puts focus on local residents

Q. Columbia Falls has seen significant commercial and residential growth in recent years. Is the city doing enough to guide economic growth, both in city limits and in the city’s outlying planning jurisdiction?

A. The city and current council are very receptive in having business, large or small, locate here, and work hard to insure services provided by the city reflect that. Creation of the TIF (tax increment finance) District is one tool available to help spur economic growth by maintaining/improving infrastructure and possibly providing new technologies with infrastructure they may require.

Q. Do you support a resort tax for Columbia Falls? Why or why not?

A. “Resort Tax” is a questionable term, but I consider such a tax to be a viable way of creating much needed funding to help with infrastructure, essential city services such as fire/police, without laying the entire bill in the taxpayer’s lap.

Q. Is the city of Columbia Falls doing enough to address affordable/workforce housing?

A. Seems anywhere in the valley cities struggle to create affordable housing. Revitalizing neighborhoods and providing tax breaks for those willing to invest here helps. I think we as a council also understand relaxing some zoning regulations can be advantageous. The creation of VRBOs has had real impact on what’s available out there when it comes to long-term affordable rentals.

Q. What qualities make you the best candidate for a council position?

A. I am very committed to this community and the direction it needs to go to stay viable. This is a community that is in the midst of growth and change, and I would like to continue to participate in that process while not forgetting to listen to those that chose to live here like my family has. Participation at City Council meetings is not only crucial for those elected to do so, but equally, if not more important, are the folks that attend because they are committed to the community also.