News

Economic development spending: Butte-Silver Bow Council to discuss ballot language

Discussion of whether to directly tie the

economic development mill levy question to the Butte Local Development Corp. will continue at next week’s Butte-Silver Bow council meeting.

By Roberta Forsell Stauffer of The Montana Standard – 02/28/2004

http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2004/02/29/newsbutte/hjjfjhhbjbfcid.txt

The debate started at Wednesday night’s judiciary committee meeting, when Commissioner Charlie O’Leary suggested striking all reference to BLDC on the ballet question itself.

"If we tie this levy on June 8 to BLDC, it’s a death sentence," O’Leary said. "If you believe it should pass, we should not lock ourselves into giving it to one group."

O’Leary believes the question should just ask voters whether they want to levy the 1.16 mills, worth approximately $63,000 a year, to be spent on economic development over the next four years, but not specify where the money would go.

Commissioner Ristene Hall said she agreed with O’Leary, given recent comments she’s been hearing from business people. "I think this should pass, but I think if your name’s on it, it’s not going to pass," Hall told Evan Barrett, executive director of BLDC.

Barrett disagreed and said he has no fears that the public won’t support the levy once people learn about BLDC’s past accomplishments and track record.

He also questioned the fairness of expecting BLDC to help sell the ballot measure, with no assured benefits from the effort.

"If we’re going to take the heat for this so to speak and defend it, I think it’s appropriate that there’s a preference for us as far as contracting is concerned," he said.

Council chairman Mike Kerns also questioned the fairness of O’Leary’s approach. "You work BLDC to pass this, then you’re going to let a group come in and say, ‘We’ve got a better mousetrap’ and they get the money?"

The ballot language as drafted by County Attorney Bob McCarthy does say the council could cancel a contract with BLDC if it "determines a better method is available" for economic development spending, but it also says the council intends to contract with BLDC.

Commissioners had the authority to continue levying this mill, but instead agreed to let voters weigh in at the urging of O’Leary. They also had authority to allocate it to another group, provided they stayed within guidelines dictated by state law. Historically, they’ve allocated it to BLDC since the taxing authority was created in 1990.

Now voters have the power to decide whether they want to keep spending the money on economic development for the next four years or receive a slightly lower tax bill. In refusing the 1.16 mill, voters would shave less than $3 off the tax bill for a $100,000 home.

Originally, O’Leary wanted to tie the question directly to BLDC, but has since changed his stance.

And while he said he understands Barrett’s position, he also thinks that other groups could emerge between now and June to help sell the measure in general and promote new ideas for how to best spend the money.

If it passes, perhaps a public hearing could take place at which these various groups could formally pitch their ideas, O’Leary said.

Reporter Roberta Forsell Stauffer may be reached via e-mail at [email protected].

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