City staff walked City Commissioners through the basic mechanics of the budget during a special meeting on May 9. City Manager Greg Doyon had initially planned to do full presentations from each department, a format for budget development the city used years ago, but scheduling issues caused that plan to morph into a video briefing with information from the departments
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Great Falls Fire Rescue is using $1.3 million in federal COVID relief funds to refurbish three fire engines. City Commissioners unanimously approved a contract during their May 3 meeting with Hughes Fire Equipment to refurbish the engines at the Pierce Manufacturing Service Center in Appleton, Wisc. The city purchased the three 2004 Pierce Enforcer Engines in 2004 and they have
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The city’s law enforcement and judicial officials discussed crime task force recommendations again during their May 3 meeting. Among the recommendations included conversations about publishing case closure rates, sentencing and conviction rates. Great Falls Police Chief Jeff Newton said that closure rates is a misnomer because cases are closed when arrests are made or when they are unable to continue
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City Commissioners unanimously on May 3 to approve a cable system franchise agreement with TDS Metrocom LLC. The Madison, Wisc. based company has requested a non-exclusive franchise agreement for providing cable television services. Staff is recommending approval of the agreement, under which TDS will provide broadband internet, video and digital voice services in the city. City considering new fees for
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City Commissioners unanimously approved a tax abatement for Calumet Refining during their May 3 meeting that equates to the loss of an estimated $2.77 million in property tax revenue over the next decade. State law allows for tax abatement for new or expanding industry, during which the first five years after a construction permit has been issued, qualifying improvements or
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The City of Great Falls is discontinuing the phone-in option for City Commission meetings. The option was added during COVID-19 closures and remote meetings, but is being discontinued due to call-in delays and dropped calls. The phone-in option will be discontinued beginning with the May 3 commission meeting, but other options remain to provide public comment: attend commission meetings in
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The City Commission will be asked during their May 3 meeting to approve a cable system franchise agreement with TDS Metrocom LLC. The Madison, Wisc. based company has requested a non-exclusive franchise agreement for providing cable television services. Staff is recommending approval of the agreement, under which TDS will provide broadband internet, video and digital voice services in the city.
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During their May 3 meeting, City Commissioners will consider awarding a $217,845 contract to MRTE Inc. for a sidewalk project on 33rd Street South. The project includes installing about 1,200 lineal feet of integral concrete curb and gutter; 1,300-square-feet of four-inch concrete sidewalk; 4,200-square-feet of six-inch reinforced concrete; 18 truncated domes; 1,100-square-feet of sod placement; two curb inlets; and installing/removing
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Calumet Refining has requested a tax abatement on their new renewable fuel conversion project and the City Commission will consider the request during their May 3 meeting. State law allows for tax abatement for new or expanding industry, during which the first five years after a construction permit has been issued, qualifying improvements or modernized processes are taxed at 50
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City Commissioners will consider a new three-year audit contract during their May 3 meeting. Staff is recommending awarding the contract for audit services to Anderson ZurMuehlen at a cost of $52,000 for fiscal year 2022, $53,000 for fiscal year 2023 and $54,000 for fiscal year 2024 for a total of $159,000. The city has contracted with AZ since 2016. The
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