Two town halls are planned for information about the upcoming park district vote.

The first is March 27 at 5:30 p.m. and the second is April 26 at 5:30 p.m. Both are in the Missouri Room at the Civic Center, 2 Park Dr. S.

The city has proposed a special park district assessment that as proposed would generate $1.5 million annually.

The park district question is on the May 8 ballot and if approved, the assessment will be set for 20 years.
Park district goes to May 8 ballot

State law requires that the park assessment be set annually by the City Commission with a public hearing, as the boulevard, Portage Meadows and street maintenance assessments are set during the budget process each year. The city has proposed $1.5 million annually for the first three years, but the assessment rate could go up or down annually depending on needs.
Park district is on track to go to May 8 ballot for $1.5 million assessment

The commission would have the ability to dissolve the district before the 20 year period ends if the district is no longer needed. If the city wanted to continue the district, the city would have to go through the same process to create a new district under state law.

All eligible voters in Great Falls will receive a ballot, whether they own property or not. Those who own property within the city limits, but live elsewhere in Montana will also be able to vote on the park district. The elections office is printing special ballots for those property owners that include only the park district and those will be available upon request to those meeting the criteria.

Park and Recreation staff have developed a three-year budget for the initial projects they want to complete based on the Park and Rec Master Plan that was adopted by the City Commission in 2016. After the initial three-year period, staff would develop a budget for the next three years.
Options considered for park district include lower assessment rate, flat fee

The master plan identified $12.6 million in deferred maintenance and according to Steve Herrig, park and rec director, the $1.5 million park district will get the department to about a third of that deferred maintenance over five years.

The city had initially proposed a $2.3 million annual assessment, but after public concern about the additional tax, commissioners asked staff to look at other options. The lower assessment level means fewer park projects could be completed, but Herrig has said on multiple occasions that the $1.5 million is a start in tackling their deferred maintenance.
City forestry completes 7-year project of hazard tree trimming

The city is developing an informational flier that will be included in the April water bill to city residents.

During this week’s Park and Rec Advisory Board meeting, Herrig told the board that staff is beginning to develop a plan for what will happen if the park district isn’t approved. Herrig has said in public meetings that without the district, deferred maintenance will continue, there will be a significant reduction in services and there is the potential sale of parkland.

According to Preserve our Parks, a group formed to support the park district, all of the city’s nine undeveloped parks combined are valued at about $370,478.

The group has registered with the Commissioner of Political Practices to support the ballot initiative and includes Linda Caricaburu, Steve Erwin, Erin Merchant and others.

The group has launched a website that includes a tax calculator to estimate the cost for a property owner.

As proposed, the park district assessment would apply to all residential and commercial property owners.

Park and Rec staff have listed the planned improvements over the first three years of the district at the $1.5 million level.

Those projects are:

Year 1

• ADA Park Restroom Improvements
• Electric City Water Park Bath House Improvements
• Gibson Park Trail Overlay (Asphalt)
• Sports Courts Resurface/Jaycee (Pickleball/BB)
• ADA Sidewalks to Play Structures
• Irrigation Upgrades (manual to auto)
• Turf Maintenance (fertilizer/herbicide, 2 seasonal laborers)
• Full Time Parks Laborer (a position to be funded each year)
• Multi Sports Dugouts/Backstop
• Picnic Pavilion & Tables/Jaycee
• River’s Edge Trail Matching Funds
• Contingency/Operations/Professional Services

Year 2

• ADA Park Restroom Improvements
• Elks Riverside Trail Replacement (Concrete)
• Tree Replacement
• River’s Edge Trail Matching Funds
• Forestry Equipment/Tree Trimming (one time cost)
• Forestry Staff and Operations
• Irrigation Upgrades (manual to auto)
• Turf Maintenance (fertilizer/herbicide, 2 seasonal laborers)
• Full Time Parks Laborer
• Contingency/Operations/Professional Services

Year 3

• ADA Park Restroom Improvements
• Gibson Park Pond Wall
• Grande Vista Trail Replacement (Asphalt)
• Resurface Basketball Courts
• ADA Sidewalks to Play Structures
• Tree Replacement
• Multi Sports Dugouts/Backstop
• River’s Edge Trail Matching Funds
• Irrigation Upgrades (manual to auto)
• Turf Maintenance (fertilizer/herbicide, 2 seasonal laborers)
• Full Time Parks Laborer
• Forestry Staff and Operations
• Contingency/Operations/Professional Services