Kalispell studies preliminary budget numbers

 The Kalispell City Council will discuss the city’s preliminary budget proposal and set a public hearing on the budget at tonight’s meeting.

The preliminary budget plan that is proposed is about $46 million for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. That’s on par with the 2013-2014 budget of $46.8 million.

The council will set a public hearing on the budget for July 21 at 7 p.m., and the budgeting process will continue after that until Aug. 18, when the council will adopt a final budget and fix tax levies for the coming fiscal year.

Also at tonight’s meeting, the council will consider an amendment to a city code that would simplify permitting and reduce city vending fees for vendors who participate in special events such Thursday!Fest, which is sponsored by the Kalispell Downtown Association, the organization that requested the amendment.

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