Polson commissioners discuss road improvement options
Taylor Davison
Commissioners will be revisiting the application for funding on Oct. 17.
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POLSON — On Oct. 3, the Polson City Council discussed the potential use of TIF or Gas Tax funding to improve and repair roads throughout the town.
City Finance Officer Kim Sassaman presented to the council a potential application for the Gas Tax Distribution Program by the state, which required a resolution in order to be submitted. The program requires a 5% match, which would mean $6,000 from the city’s storm water system funds would be used to receive $138,164.59 from the state.
The original proposed use for these funds was to make improvement to Second Street West between Fourth and Fifth Ave., and Fourth Ave. W between First Street W and Second Street W. However, the application specifying this project was debated after attending citizen Lee Manicke voiced concerns on the specifics proposed.
Manicke pointed out that the proposed location to use the funds is on properties entirely within the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district of the city, and therefore suggested that TIF funds be used on this area instead. He stated doing so would free up the gas tax funds to be used on similar repairs needed outside the TIF district, such as extending Second Street from Fifth Ave. to Seventh Ave.
City Manager Ed Meece initially expressed some hesitation on the idea, as the TIF district is meant to eradicate blight and improve property values. “I believe we’re in a unique situation in Polson with our affordable housing issues, and the TIF district is the only place that we have dollars to spend on those types of projects … That’s why I’ve hesitated to spend TIF dollars on road projects, because we do have some other opportunities like the special gas tax …. I’ve been trying to balance the tools (we have), but obviously it’s always the prerogative of the commission how you want to use those dollars.”
Commissioner Carolyn Pardini spoke in agreement with Manicke’s proposal, stating, “I have great sympathy for people who are trying to find housing, (and) I’m actively working to make housing easier … but if the purpose of TIF funding is to improve property values and to remove blight, improving those roads is going to improve property values. I can’t see where some of those roads are anything but blight … This TIF money is another tool we have to make our gas tax dollars go farther.”
Manicke also rose to point out TIF funds had been used on the sidewalk portion of the Main Street project and the walkway under the bridge of the city dock as well, meaning a not insignificant portion of TIF funds has been used in city infrastructure before.
Commissioner Brodie Moll proposed bringing in the citizen advisory group, the PRA, for their input as well. “If we’re going to have people part of the advisory, they should be part of the process,” he stated.
While the city would technically be allowed to change the project used in the application after receiving the funds through an update process with the state, it would require further voting and cause potential delays.
Ultimately, as the council has until the start of November to submit their application for the funds, the commissioners decided to revisit the resolution at the Oct. 17 meeting and specify a non-TIF district location in the application. They will also have another conversation with the PRA to decide on the use of TIF funds for the Second Street W and Fourth Ave. W roads projects.
The date and times for upcoming city council meetings can be found online at: https://www.cityofpolson.com/meetings
