HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-12-21 Public Comment - R. Brey - Housing Mill LevyFrom:Ron Brey
To:Agenda
Subject:7 mill levy - July 13 agenda
Date:Monday, July 12, 2021 4:31:46 PM
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Members of the Commission:
Thank you for your ongoing efforts to assist in the provision of affordable housing in
Bozeman. As we have all learned over time, it is a never ending endeavor and there are no"grand slam" solutions. Every bit of assistance and facilitation must be identified and
employed. I would therefore like to encourage you to place the 7 mill affordable housing levybefore the voters. The scarcity of such housing in the community is affecting all walks of life
here. In addition to the impact on individuals and families who either can't find housing or arebeing forced out of the housing in which they currently reside, businesses are suffering from
lack of employees who cannot afford to work and live here. This is also true for all majoremployers including health care providers, schools. city and county governments and other
vital service providers.
I would also like to encourage you to consider stronger language in the resolution. For sometime, the City has had an "up to" 5 mill levy for affordable housing. According to the City's
on-line budgets, this has resulted in the assessment of 5 mills only once in the previous 10years, resulting in nearly $2.5 million for affordable housing uncollected.
Year Levy Approx mill value Unassessed
FY12 0.5 $82k $369kFY13 0.5 $83k $373.5k
FY14 0.5 $85.6k $385.2kFY15 1.0 $88k $352k
FY16 3.0 $86.5k $173kFY17 3.0 $90k $180k
FY18 3.0 $101k $202kFY19 3.0 $104k $208k
FY20 5.0 - -FY21 3.0 $129k $258k
This leaves me wondering if it would be possible to use more committed language, e.g.
establish an annual 7 mill levy which could only be adjusted downward during the City'sannual budget setting process.
Again, thank you for your ongoing efforts in this regard. We are a better community for it.
Ron Brey
1106 S. 3rdBozeman, MT 59715