Special tax to fund 911 turned down

A plan to fund upgrades at Flathead County’s 911 dispatch center with a special tax district is dead after enough county property owners protested the maneuver.

The county received 10,390 responses to the proposal to raise $1.9 million for improvements and maintenance at the center, with 9,527 in opposition.

The protested assessment values totaled $374,535, or 18.8 percent — enough to stymie the effort.

According to a report from county administrator Mike Pence, commissioners could have moved forward with the district if the protested assessment values totaled less than 10 percent, or $199,199.

In response to the protests, commissioners decided last week to accept the results and voted not to pursue an option to place the issue on a future election ballot.

The district proposed raising funds needed for capital equipment replacement and additions at the center through a flat $25 fee annually for residential property owners.

A fee for commercial properties proved to be a sticking point. Commercial properties would have been charged $50 for each unit up to a maximum of 30 units, or $1,500.

Commissioner Pam Holmquist admitted the formula wasn’t the most equitable option.

“We spent a lot of time on it, but at the end of the day we now know it was flawed,” she said. “The commercial was not fair and the language on the ballot was misleading.”

After reading comments on the proposal, Holmquist said she doesn’t think she would have voted to approve the district even if the protest assessments had fallen below the 10 percent threshold.

“We got a lot of good comments from the public, so it was good in that respect,” she said of the process.

On Monday, Holmquist stepped down from her spot on the 911 administrative board. Commissioner Phil Mitchell will take her place.

Mitchell has said he wants to look at how other counties fund their 911 centers and equipment upgrades.

“Phil said he might have some ideas,” Holmquist said.

Whitefish showed support for the special tax district last spring when City Council passed a resolution urging the county to create the district as an equitable way to fund the center.

Since its creation, the county and incorporated cities operate the consolidated 911 center through an interlocal agreement, with county and city taxes funding the center. Residents of the three incorporated cities each contribute through property tax assessments in addition to a county levy.

Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial sits on the 911 administrative board. He describes the current funding mechanism as unfair to municipalities like Whitefish, Kalispell and Columbia Falls.

“They continue to pay double what other citizens in the county pay for the same service,” Dial said.

Holmquist says she understands that argument, but isn’t sure she’d call it a double tax.

“They have a little more coverage than just the sheriff,” she said. “They have the police departments internal. Is it fair for them to pay a little more? There are different thoughts on if it’s a double tax or if they’re getting a better service. But I can see the city’s side.”

A county-wide ballot measure in last year’s November election came up 10 votes short of creating the special district. Dial would like to see the issue go back on the ballot.

“That’s what I’m going to be pressing for,” he said.

Holmquist doesn’t believe the issue will go to a ballot anytime soon.

“We need to take another look at the operation itself,” she said. “There is no easy answer and we’ll continue to work on it.”

Both Holmquist and Dial say time is of the essence to get a funding mechanism in place.

Dial paints a dire picture of what might happen if equipment upgrades and maintenance continue to be delayed.

“If we don’t get the funding, someday they’ll call 911 and no one will show up,” he said. “Dispatch won’t be able to get a hold of who they need to get a hold of.”

He said the funding isn’t for unnecessary “frills.”

“What we want to have is what we have to have,” he said.

“We’re not getting pay increases, we’re not getting things from Star Wars — we’re getting what we need to provide the services that the community needs or must have. In order to provide the services they want and need, we have to have a funding source.”

Holmquist agreed.

“The last thing we want is for something to go down in the middle of a call,” she said. “The public wants to fund this, it’s just how do we get there?”