Kalispell council mulls increased funding for health department
The Kalispell City Council will discuss a mill levy increase that would bump up city funding for the Flathead City-County Health Department at a work session this evening.
The council considered a resolution on the annual mill levy at its Aug. 19 meeting, but decided to postpone the decision until they could learn more about the health department’s budget.
The health department is asking for a mill levy of 5.99 for fiscal year 2020, up from last year’s levy of 4.9. This amount would bring the city’s total contribution to the health department up to approximately $282,285 — an increase of about $72,000 from the previous fiscal year.
At the council meeting, Public Health Officer Hillary Hanson with the health department explained a large reason for the increase is the cash reserve that contributed to the health department’s budget is “now gone.” The mill levy was lower in the past few years thanks to offsets from this reserve.
The agenda for the work session provides additional information about the health department’s budget. It breaks down the health department’s total 2020 budget of $12.7 million and the health fund budget of $2.9 million. It also compares the 2020 health fund budget to last year’s total of $2.65 million and the three previous years as well.
Hanson pointed out at the meeting they are below the maximum number of mills allowed, which is 6.18 mills.
If approved, the 5.99 levy would have a mill value of $47,125.81. The council expects to take action on this mill levy at its Sept. 3 meeting.
The council also will discuss the potential revision of three city regulations at the work session.
The first issue is parked motor vehicles blocking sidewalks. Currently, city ordinances prohibit driving on sidewalks and parking on boulevards, “but they do not specifically address parking in such a way that blocks pedestrian traffic use of the sidewalk.” The council will therefore discuss an ordinance forbidding vehicles from blocking or interfering with the use of sidewalks.
The council will also discuss the issue of motor vehicles such as RVs, campers and buses being parked for “lodging” along city streets. The council report notes “residents have complained” about drivers who park these vehicles and stay overnight or long-term.
While this issue is currently considered a zoning matter, the council will discuss an ordinance that would make it a civil infraction to “lodge within a motor vehicle in the public right of way.”
Finally, the council will consider a resolution to change the way the Kalispell Police Department manages unclaimed personal property that comes into its possession. The current process for disposing of these items “has proven to be cumbersome and inadequate,” according to the report.
The proposed resolution would establish new procedures for these items. Under the new ordinance, items valued at more than $20 would be held for three months by KPD while they make a “reasonable effort” to contact the items’ owners. Prior to disposing of the items, KPD would publish a notice about the planned disposal. Items would then be either destroyed, returned to the person who found them, donated to a nonprofit or sold at a public auction and the proceeds put toward the city’s general fund.
The full agenda for the work session is available at https://www.kalispell.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_08262019-304
The work session will take place at 7 p.m. tonight in the City Council chambers, 201First Ave. E.
Reporter Bret Anne Serbin may be reached at bserbin@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.