Kalispell hosts candidate forum

Kalispell-area legislative candidates will be asked next week to weigh in on issues ranging from local-option sales taxes to impact fees.

The candidate forum sponsored by the Kalispell City Council will be Tuesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. at Kalispell City Hall.

Mayor Mark Johnson will moderate the forum that will involve state legislative candidates whose House or Senate districts overlap Kalispell city limits. Flathead County commissioner candidates Phil Mitchell and Stacey Schnebel also will attend.

Questions for state candidates will cover five major topic areas:

• Local-option sales tax.
• Impact fees.
• Special district legislation.
• Tax increment financing districts.
• Regulatory standards for environmental quality.

Topics for the commissioner candidates include:

• County courthouse couplet and impact of u.s. 93 on downtown Kalispell.
• 911 Center.
• Village Greens landslide issue and grant process.
• County commissioners’ role in economic development.

Each candidate will be asked two questions with competing candidates being asked identical questions. Candidates also will be given the opportunity for closing statements.

Questions will not be taken from the audience.

The forum will be broadcast live on Government Access Channel 190 and replayed on the same station at periodic intervals up to Election Day on Nov. 4.