What will be impact of impact fees?

One thing clear about Kalispell’s recent increase in wastewater impact fees is that the jury will be out for some time on what the impact of the fee increase will be.

Ideally, the fee increase will work as planned, raising revenue mostly for sewer-line extensions on the west side of town without discouraging development and real-estate sales.

But it is a steep increase indeed — more than doubling the current fees from $2,499 to $5,757 for every new household. There are justified concerns that development will be impeded.

But the truth is that even a $5,757 fee will amount to about 3 percent of last year’s average cost of a home in Kalispell. If there is demand, that is a percentage that can be absorbed, particularly within a long-term mortgage.

It is somewhat of a paradox that development could also be discouraged without the fee increase. The current wastewater transmission system on the west side of town is nearly at capacity, taking into account development plans that are already platted. If capacity isn’t expanded, future development plans within areas that have been annexed could be limited.

The City Council decided on a 5-4 vote that the development community, through higher impact fees, will be paying for that additional transmission capacity rather than ratepayers.

We’ll have to see how it all works out as the reaction to those fees materializes.

Congratulations, Vikings!

Three cheers for an amazing season for the Bigfork Vikings.

The Vikings held off the determined Columbus Cougars on Saturday night to claim the Class B state basketball championship.

Bigfork’s state title season was truly one for the record books: The Vikings were perfect, amassing 26 wins and no defeats. Among those wins were two triumphs over the Class A state champion Columbia Falls Wildcats.

The Class B trophy — the first basketball state championship ever for Bigfork High School — will surely be the talk of the town for some time to come.

Congratulations to the players, coaches, teachers and parents who participated in this great championship.

Editorials represent the majority opinion of the Daily Inter Lake’s editorial board.