Kalispell considers government review

The Kalispell City Council will take up the matter of a local government review election at tonight’s council meeting.

The Montana Constitution requires local governments to conduct an election every 10 years to determine if electors want a local government review. It is proposed that question should be on the primary election ballot on June 3.

If Kalispell voters approve the review, a study commission would be formed to examine Kalispell’s city manager form of government, and members of the commission would be elected in the Nov. 4 general election.

Also at tonight’s meeting, the council will consider approving a final levy for stormwater improvements in the Willows subdivision.

The city created a special improvement district in 2012 with the intent of billing property owners in the 87-lot subdivision no more than $20 per month for 15 years. The stormwater improvements recently were completed with a construction cost of $242,000, and the city is now poised to levy property owners for that cost.

The council will hear from at least one property owner who is unhappy with the matter, saying that stormwater improvements were necessary only because the city approved adjacent subdivisions that impacted the subdivision’s stormwater system.

“You are now putting the expense on homeowners of the Willows subdivision against our wishes,” wrote Larry Bauer in a formal letter objecting to the special improvement district levy.

The council meets at 7 p.m. in Kalispell City Hall on First Avenue East.