Work session focus is extension of services plan

Kalispell’s extension of services plan is the focus of an informal work session the Kalispell City Council holds tonight.

Council member Bob Hafferman requested the discussion, hoping to hash out definitions and policies that are easily understood by everyone and guide how infrastructure is extended, enlarged and replaced and how such projects are paid for.

“There seems to have been developing considerable confusion as to the roles of all entities involved with new developments on guiding the financing of 1. new extension and oversizing if required and 2. replacement and upsizing of the city’s infrastructure,” Hafferman wrote in a pre-meeting memo to other council members.

Kalispell’s 35-page extension of services plan was last amended in 2004.

“The objective of having clear definitions is that 1. whether the extension is for 10 lots or 1,000 lots all developments are viewed on an equal basis in council decisions and 2. the taxpayers and rate payers do not extend the city’s utility infrastructure. Fairness requires an understanding of the words used in the discussion.”

Council members cannot take any action at tonight’s work session. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in Kalispell City Hall, 201 First Ave. E. It is open to the public.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.