October 8, 2009
Polson commissioners pass resort tax ordinance draft
Berl Tiskus/Valley Journal
Polson City Commisioner Mike Lies looks over the resort tax ordinance draft.
By Berl Tiskus
Valley Journal
POLSON — Polson City Commissioners passed a resort tax ordinance draft at the Oct. 5 meeting by a vote of five to one. The draft contained a list of goods and services subject to the resort tax and exempt from the resort tax. Also included were specifics on use of the tax monies, formation and duties of an oversight committee and payment of the resort tax.
(This information is available on the city’s website at www.cityofpolson.com click on Resort Tax Ordinance Draft 10/5/2009 or at City Hall, 106 1st Street E.)
City Manager Todd Crosset said, “I took a shot at the list of goods and services ... based on other ordinances, based on the work session, based on discussion with this body and based on numerous discussions with the public and with businesses.”
Crossett added that the draft taxed fewer items than Whitefish and was more specific than West Yellowstone’s ordinance.
“I really tried to focus on luxury items and stayed away from everyday items that people need to live here,” Crossett said.
Crossett said the city is still in discussion with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on the issue.
In other business, Crossett said he and James Raymond, Polson City Attorney, had a discussion with the Department of Revenue’s Alcohol Division. Crossett said they were very willing to continue to work with the city and identified some different options. One option would be selling the license, although there is a glut of all-beverage liquor licenses on the market and the going rate statewide is about $25,000. Other options would be to hold onto the license until the economy improves or put the all-beverage license on hold for a year and obtain a beer and wine license to be used at the golf course restaurant. The city could hang onto the all-beverage license and operate it separately in the downstairs portion of the clubhouse, sell the license to another individual or default on the contract.
Crossett said, “My advice would be ... go ahead and see if we can make it work with the current vendor.”
Under questioning by the commissioners, Crossett said his impression was Papa Don’s was not interested in an all-beverage license. They want a beer/wine license, Crosset said, either one the city gets or one they get. Crossett added that Papa Don’s is okay with a separate bar downstairs.
Crosset requested guidance from the commissioners on the matter.
Mayor Lou Marchello said, “What this commission needs to do is think about this and see what we can do to get Todd some direction.”
The commission provided final plat approval of Lee Lodge, a 14 lot major subdivision off Bayshore Drive with two added conditions: a sign on Adler Road and Bayshore Drive which would read Local and Emergency Access Only and an easement for the Blumendahls.
The commission also approved:
• Resolution 999, a bond issue for Hillcrest/Skyline water storage, relating to the issuance by the city of Polson of its $750,000 water system revenue bonds
• Resolution 1000, to approve the fiscal year 9/10 budget and approve mill levies valued at $8,466 (general all purpose fund 1000 = 121.06 mills; permissive medical levy = 4.69 mills; permissive municipal levy = 19.95 mills)
• Public funds reinvestment bid, 2.7% APY for nine months
• Request for an additional $285 for the golf course deck
During the city manager comments, Crossett said he was interested in speaking to any group who was interested in listening about the proposed resort tax. “
“My job in all of this is to ... help people understand what it’s all about, the pros and cons so the public can make a decision on Nov. 3,” Crossett said.
According to Crossett an informational meeting on the proposed resort tax will be held on Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the Polson High School auditorium. Crossett will also be speaking on the resort tax at the Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Oct. 7.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Tony Porrazzo and Crosset will visit Big Sky to look at sewer systems and then Crossett will attend Montana League of Cities and Towns meeting the last part of the week.
The next city commission meeting will be held on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in City Commission chambers.
Related story: Resort tax ordinance background |
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