Kalispell council OKs travel budget

Several upcoming travel expenses were approved Monday by the Kalispell City Council, including a trip for all council members to Washington, D.C., and multiple trips for some council members to travel to Helena to participate in the legislative session.

Earmarking the travel money will allow the council to be more active in the legislative process, and potentially help achieve some of the council’s goals.

Last year council members traveled to Washington, D.C., to support the city’s application for a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER grant. Since the city did not receive the grant, the council hopes to make the trip again this year to speak to federal representatives and agencies to discuss future options for Kalispell’s core redevelopment.

In addition, the council anticipates two smaller travel expenses. The Flathead County Economic Development Authority requested that Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson travel with authority representatives to meet with BNSF Railway Co. regarding the rail park development, and council members plan to travel to Helena several times for the legislative session. These will be minimal expenses for mileage, meals and lodging, if necessary. The trip to Washington, D.C. is estimated at $2,000 per council member, and was included in the city budget.

IN OTHER NEWS, the city’s drug enforcement fund was amended so council could transfer money to a new fund to fulfill a grant requirement.

The city received a $10,976 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security last year and deposited the money into the drug enforcement fund. However, after review of the grant application, the money must be transferred to a different fund to fulfill the grant purpose.

The grant is intended for converting the in-car police camera system to a new system.

Reporter Brianna Loper may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at bloper@dailyinterlake.com.