HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 4054 Ballot Language Requesting Fire Station Mill Levy
COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 4054
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION SUBMITTING TO THE
QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA,
THE QUESTION OF AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BOZEMAN TO
EXCEED THE STATUTORY MILL LEVY LIMIT PROVIDED FOR IN
SECTION 15-10-420, M.C.A., BY ANNUALLY LEVYING UP TO
SIXTEEN (16) MILLS AS FOLLOWS: UP TO TWELVE (12) MILLS TO
FUND AND SUSTAIN STAFFING LEVELS AND OPERATIONS OF AN
ADDITIONAL CITY FIRE STATION (FIRE STATION 3), AND UP TO
FOUR (4) MILLS TO FUND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S EQUIPMENT
AND CAPITAL RESERVE PLAN.
WHEREAS, the City of Bozeman has comprehensively reviewed its fire
protection services; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission adopted the Fire Protection Master Plan in
December 2006 and that plan strongly recommends the immediate construction and
staffing of a third Bozeman fire station in the northwest quadrant of the city; and
WHEREAS, the Bozeman Fire Department has undertaken a comprehensive
analysis of its current and anticipated future capital equipment needs, including the
scheduled replacement of current apparatus after its safe and useful service life; and
WHEREAS, City staff has projected the costs of funding known and anticipated
capital and equipment replacement and desires to plan for equipment replacement; and
WHEREAS, additional money is needed to fund staffing and operations for Fire
Station 3 and to fund the Fire Department's capital and equipment replacement program,
as follows: up to twelve (12) mills for staffing and station operations include the
personnel costs, firefighter protective clothing, and operational costs for the new fire
station; and up to four (4) mills to fund the Fire Department's capital and equipment
replacement plan including the replacement of the department's aging ladder truck in
2013.
WHEREAS, City staff has conducted a complete analysis of its revenues and
expenditures for the past two years as well as projected revenues for the upcoming fiscal
year; and
WHEREAS, the expenditure level necessary to continue to maintain adequate
fire protection services to the citizens of the City of Bozeman cannot be reached by
existing revenues; and
WHEREAS, Section 7-6-4431, Montana Code Annotated, authorizes a municipal
governing body to exceed the maximum mill levy allowed by Section 15-10-420,
M.C.A., upon approval ofa majority of the qualified electors voting in an election; and
WHEREAS, on June 25, 2007 the City Commission adopted Commission
Resolution No. 4026 authorizing that the 2007 general election be conducted by mail
ballot; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission desires to present to the electors at the 2007
general election by mail ballot a proposal to authorize the City of Bozeman to levy up to
sixteen mills annually to fund staffing and operations of a new city fire station, and
funding for the Fire Department's equipment and capital reserve plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Commission of
the City of Bozeman, Montana:
Section 1
Referral to the Electors: That the question authorizing the City of Bozeman to exceed
the statutory mill levy limit provided for in Section 15-10-420 M.C.A. by annually
levying up to sixteen (16) mills is hereby referred to a vote by the qualified electors of the
City of Bozeman by mail ballot at the 2007 general election.
Section 2
Specific Purpose for Additional Money: That the additional money will be used to fund
staffing and operations for Fire Station 3 and to fund the Fire Department's capital and
equipment replacement program, as follows: up to twelve (12) mills for staffing and
station operations include the personnel costs, firefighter protective clothing, and
operational costs for the new fire station; and up to four (4) mills to fund the Fire
Department's capital and equipment replacement plan including the replacement of the
department's aging ladder truck in 2013.
Section 3
Approximate Number of Mills Required and Specific Dollar Amount to be Raised:
If passed, the Bozeman City Commission will be authorized to levy up to sixteen mills
annually. The specific dollar amount to be raised will change annually depending on the
value of the mill. Based upon the fiscal year 2008 mill rate, the specific dollar amount to
be raised would be $1,104,800.
Section 4
The Duration Limit, if any, on Levy: There is no durationallimit on the levy. The
levy will be annually.
Section 5
Form of Ballot: The ballot form shall be:
PUBLIC SAFETY MILL LEVY - FIRE
That the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana be authorized to exceed the
statutory mill levy limit provided for in Section 15-10-420, M.C.A., by annually levying
up to sixteen (16) mills as follows: up to twelve (12) mills to fund and sustain staffing
levels and operations of an additional city fire station (Fire Station 3), and up to four (4)
mills to fund the Fire Department's equipment and capital reserve plan. The specific
amount of money that is to be raised will change annually depending on the value of a
mill. Based on the 2008 Fiscal Year mill rate, the specific dollar amount to be raised
would be $1,104,800. The levy shall not sunset. The annual property tax impact on a
home with a taxable market value of $100,000 is approximately $48.16 per year. Thc
annual property tax impact on a home with a taxable market value of $200,000 is
approximately $96.32 per year. The monthly property tax impact on the median home
($89,000 taxable market value) in Bozeman would be approximately $3.73 per month for
Fiscal Year 2009.
D FOR authorizing the City Commission of the City of Bozeman to
exceed the statutory mill levy limit provided for in Section 15-10-420,
M.C.A., by annually levying up to sixteen (16) mills to fund and sustain
staffing levels and operations of an additional city fire station (Fire Station
3) and fund the Fire Department's equipment and capital reserve plan.
D AGAINST authorizing the City Commission of the City of
Bozeman to exceed the statutory mill levy limit provided for in Section
15-10-420, M.C.A., by annually levying up to sixteen (16) mills to fund
and sustain staffing levels and operations of an additional city fire station
(Fire Station 3) and fund the Fire Department's equipment and capital
reserve plan.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman, Montana,
at a regular session thereof held on the 13th day of August 2007.
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