Whitefish, county start doughnut discussions

The city of Whitefish and Flathead County took a step forward in the “doughnut” dilemma on Tuesday by agreeing to set up a committee and begin discussions about the fate of Whitefish’s outlying planning jurisdiction.

At issue is control of the two-mile planning area or “doughnut” outside city limits. When the county rescinded its interlocal agreement with Whitefish in 2008, the city sued the county and later appealed an adverse District Court ruling to the Montana Supreme Court.

Flathead District Judge Katherine Curtis then put the 2005 interlocal agreement back in force pending the outcome of the lawsuit.

But two weeks ago the Whitefish City Council agreed to ask Curtis to delay a decision in the doughnut lawsuit while the city continues negotiations with the county.

There’s hope on both sides that the issue can be resolved outside the courtroom.

City Council members Bill Kahle and Chris Hyatt met Tuesday morning with county Commissioner Jim Dupont, who has taken the lead for the county in continued talks with Whitefish. The goal is to establish transparency, build trust and find common ground.

“Both sides agreed there is room for people to give and take,” Dupont said.

To that end, a committee representing the city, county and doughnut residents is being formed. Kahle, Hyatt and Whitefish City Manager Chuck Stearns will represent the city; Dupont will represent the county and choose about three doughnut residents to serve on the committee.

The first meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. April 12 at Whitefish City Hall; a second meeting is planned at 5:30 p.m. April 26 at the commissioners’ office in Kalispell. Meetings will be limited to 90 minutes.

Kahle also said he felt Tuesday’s meeting was “really productive.

“I’m optimistic there’s a significant amount of common ground,” he said. “The more open [the process] the better the solution.”

Several citizens attended the meeting and expressed the need for an open, transparent process.

 Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com