[MissoulaGov] On SIDs

[Jim McGrath]

Ed has succinctly hit on the why of where we are at. There is no perfect or even obviously best solution. what historically has been done by the city has been done in order to make desired projects happen, even though not everyone is thrilled by the technique. Conceive of a better tool if you can; push for more equitable legislation, if you can concoct it. good luck and good night. 


-----Original Message-----
From: Ed Childers [mailto:echilders at ci.missoula.mt.us]
Sent: Sun 2/15/2009 7:33 PM
To: Jim McGrath
Cc: Jed Taylor; MissoulaGov
Subject: Re: [MissoulaGov] On SIDs
 
Hello all.
    I see The Moderator (BJaffe) fears a loss of readership so I'll keep it short.
    As near as I can tell, the tax cap has had no influence on local, limited-area SIDs.
    I'm told that other cities already had general levies when the tax cap was passed.
    In Missoula, fees have been increased and added to keep revenues in line with cost of services.
    If Missoula could have kept general revenues (unfortunately property tax based) in line with cost of services I doubt that Missoula would have gone in for fees the way we did. We might not be looking at a citywide general levy for street maintenance, but on the other hand we very well might, because funding for street maintenance comes largely from gas taxes which have not changed since 1993.
    I, too, like paying taxes, because I know I'm helping pay for things people need.

Ed Childers

Jim McGrath wrote: 

	Ed,
	
	At the risk of speaking for Jed-- which I will not do-- I may own some responsibility for the "getting around state law idea" -- sorry.
	MY question (not to be attributed to Jed) has to do with the fact that city's are limited in how much taxes they can increase, but not fees; but if a specific limited tool like an SID is stretched to the apply to the entire city, is it not an end around?
	Ask yourself (you don't need to answer) -- if the city could simply raise taxes would it assess these?
	
	Again -- I'm not making these decisions, and I like paying local taxes. It makes sense to me.
	
	
	-----Original Message-----
	From: Ed Childers [mailto:echilders at ci.missoula.mt.us]
	Sent: Sun 2/15/2009 4:14 PM
	To: Jed Taylor
	



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