Kalispell considers raising sewer impact fees

The Kalispell City Council on Tuesday will consider setting a public hearing on a proposed increase in wastewater impact fees as well as several board appointments.

The council will be presented with a final report from the city Impact Fee Committee proposing that wastewater impact fees be more than doubled from $2,499 per Equivalent Residential Unit (or average household) to $5,757. 

The council will consider adopting a resolution of intent to adopt the increase and set a public hearing on the proposed changes to wastewater impact fees for March 17.

In a separate item, the city solicited applications for board appointments last month, with a Feb. 7 deadline.

Duane Larson and Rebecca Sturdevant applied for a single vacancy on the City-County Board of Health.

Jim Cossitt was the sole applicant for the city Impact Fee Committee, which has two vacancies.

Applying for one vacancy on the city Planning Board were Doug Kauffman, Steve Lorch, Karlene Osorio-Khor, George Warner and Jeff Zauner.

Applying for one vacancy on the county Solid Waste Board were Rick Hull, Hank Olson and Greg Schroeder.

Mayor Mark Johnson will make recommendations for each vacancy, with appointments requiring approval from a majority of the council.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the council will consider adopting policies, procedures and programs for the West Side Tax Increment Financing District, which was expanded in December of 2012 to include the Kalispell core area. 

According to a city manager’s report, the intent of the policies is to provide a clear path for urban renewal funding applicants, a timely process, transparency to the decision making criteria and protecting the confidentiality of individual businesses that seek urban renewal assistance.

The council meets Tuesday at 7 p.m. in City Hall on First Avenue East. The meeting night was changed due to today’s Presidents Day holiday.