Petition against City Hall expected mid-July

A group is moving forward with its pursuit of a ballot initiative to put the City Hall project up to a public vote.

The initiative could be submitted to the Flathead County Election Department as early as this week, said attorney Duncan Scott, who represents the individuals bringing forth the petition.

An early draft of the initiative proposes a new law that would require approval from a majority of Whitefish voters prior to the city appropriating funds for a City Hall remodel, reconstruction or relocation costing more than $3 million.

If approved by the county election administrator, the proposed petition will then go to the Whitefish city attorney for review.

“This review process may take up to 21 days,” Scott said. “We don’t expect to have petitions ready for signatures until mid-July.”

Signatures from at least 15 percent of registered voters in the city is required to have an initiative placed on the ballot. That equates to about 750 signatures.

The petition sponsors have 90 days from the date of approval to submit the signatures.