Voters to decide change for resort tax, contested Council race

Whitefish voters are set to determine a proposed shift in the spending for the city’s resort tax and a contested City Council race.

Election Day is Nov. 7. 

City Councilor incumbents Frank Sweeney, Steve Qunell and Rebecca Norton are on the ballot. They face four challengers Nathan Dugan, Jim Ramlow, Nancy Schuber and Kent Taylor.

Mayor John Muhlfeld is running unopposed, seeking his fourth term.

Municipal Judge Caitlin Overland is also running unopposed seeking re-election. In late 2021, Overland was appointed to serve as the new judge following the death of Judge William Hileman. 

Councilors, the mayor and the municipal judge all serve four-year terms. 

Ballots include a resort tax initiative which, if approved, would change the allocation of the resort tax so that 10% of the tax be designated specifically for community housing development projects and programs starting Feb. 1, 2025. The city estimates that over 20 years this could generate about $27 million.

Like other resort tax uses, City Council will have to approve specific projects and programs funded by the tax. The city has said that funds could be used to develop housing in partnership with private or nonprofit entities in exchange for deed restrictions or it could be used for programs such as homebuyer assistance, acquisition of deed restrictions and rental assistance. 

The 3% resort tax is collected on “luxury” retail sales, lodging, at restaurants and for prepared food and alcoholic beverages. Funds generated from the tax go to property tax relief, streets, parks and beginning in 2025 toward maintenance of the Whitefish Trail.

Absentee ballots have been mailed to registered voters. It’s too late to mail ballots, but they can be dropped off at City Hall and the Flathead County Election Office, 290 B N. Main Street, Kalispell. 

In-person voting takes place at City Hall on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.