Whitefish stimulus program begins

The city of Whitefish stimulus program to spur new construction begins Monday and continues through August.

The short-term program aims to stimulate demand for new building permits.

Two programs are offered, one for projects inside the Whitefish tax-increment district and one for projects outside the district.

Inside the tax-increment district, the city will reimburse building-permit applicants for the entire amount of impact fees that normally would be charged to the project.

The applicant has to pay the impact fees when obtaining the permit, but at the same time will sign a voucher form for full reimbursement, according to City Manager Chuck Stearns. The city will process the reimbursement and mail the check, typically within two weeks.

There is a $50,000 cap per project, and the city will allocate a maximum of $500,000 to the stimulus program. If it’s used up before the end of August, the program ends, Stearns said.

Tax-exempt projects aren’t eligible because the program is designed to add to the tax base.

Outside the tax-increment district, the city will reduce building-permit fees by 40 percent for residential remodeling projects.

Reduced fees include the building permit, plumbing, electrical and mechanical permits, plan review, planning and zoning and a fire-prevention program.

The fee reduction does not apply to architectural review fees, impact fees or any other planning or zoning fees.