We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
On Wednesday afternoon, February 2, the Blaine County Commissioners held a public hearing during which they considered a proposal by the Friends of the Pool and Park Foundation (FPPF) to Order a Referendum to allow the voters to determine whether or not to create a Recreation District. Chinook Precincts 10, 11 and 13 would make up the Recreation District. A vote on that proposal was tabled after Commissioners determined that the language of the resolution was ambiguous.
“We need to table a vote on this resolution until the questions raised have been answered,” Commissioner Miles Hutton stated.
The Commissioners originally thought they would hold another meeting on February 18, but that meeting date had to be cancelled when Commissioners learned that the date would be too late to get the issue on the ballot for the special election in May.
According to Administrative Assistant for the Commissioner’s Office, Tracy Thorstad, the Commissioners hope to hold another public hearing sometime in March so the issue can find a place on the primary ballot in June. Commissioner Dolores Plumage expressed her understanding about the impact of the cost but wanted to preserve “the rights of the people to vote.”
Several of the approximately 30 people in attendance at Wednesday’s meeting took exception to the use of the word dwelling as it was used in the proposed resolution: “The method of funding shall be as follows: an assessment on all dwelling units located on residential or commercial property within the proposed Chinook Recreation District.” The question was raised about whether a business, such as a bar or a bank, would be considered a dwelling. Several people also asked: “What if there is no fixture or building on the property; would that property be assessed the proposed tax?”
The short answer was, yes. A dwelling in a legal sense often refers to “a house or usual place of abode or to the place where the individual regularly conducts a business or profession.” For the purpose of the resolution, dwelling was taken to imply a property which is assessed a tax or any property for which a property owner receives a tax bill.
Several of the people attending the meeting focused on the impact of the cost and what was called a “core problem,” the pool’s deficit operation. While President of the FPPF, Heather DePriest explained that no pool in Montana—because of the short summer season—operates without a deficit, a few community members expressed concern about the project’s sustainability and their desire to see the gap on the deficit close—not widen—with more expense created by expansion. DePriest also reminded those gathered that the tower water slides and other “extras” would not be funded by the bond. These would be the last items for completion, and the funds would be raised through grants and donors for that portion of the project.
“Having matching funds generated by the bond would enable us to access more grant opportunities,” DePriest clarified.
Although people were more focused on who would be taxed and how, the February 2 meeting was meant to address the passing of a resolution that would create a special district to be called the Chinook Recreation District (CRD). Precincts 10, 11, and 13 would form the CRD. Following the same maps as voting precincts, Precinct 10 encompasses the area south of Chinook and Highway 2, Precinct 11 comprises the City of Chinook, and Precinct 13 consists of the northwest corner of Blaine County north of Highway 2. The property owners within the proposed new recreation district would vote on a ballot measure to create the new district, which includes a vote to approve an assessment to fund repairs needed at the Chinook Pool and updates and maintenance of the Sweet Memorial Park. Taxpayers in these three precincts would be assessed approximately $51.60 ($25.80/half) when they pay their annual property taxes.
Besides the concern that taxes—once assessed—do nothing but increase, other questions at the February 2 meeting arose about the feasibility of county taxpayers being assessed for property owned by the city.
Because both the park and the pool properties are in need of upgrade and repair, the FPPF was hoping to get a bond on the ballot in May. Now, the group will have to wait at least until June.
Originally installed in 1976, the pool has since surpassed the normal life expectancy of an outdoor pool. To refurbish, replace, make safe, and bring the two properties up to current code, the entire project is projected to cost $3.2 million. Of that total, the bond will collect two million from the proposed recreation district. The remaining 1.2 million will be raised by FPPF.
DePriest stated, “Our Board of Directors are 100% volunteer and have been very active in working to make this project a reality. If we wait any longer to fix our aging pool, the cost will significantly increase should we have to fully dig up the pool due to leaking and cracking.”
Although the meeting didn’t produce the results desired by the FPPF, the organization did receive some positive feedback, with people generally expressing widespread support for the maintenance of these community facilities. The operation cost savings that would result from an upgraded boiler and a new chlorinator system were also both applauded.
If the bond were to eventually make it to the ballot and then pass, the Foundation would begin construction in the fall of 2022.
According to DePriest, once the facility is complete, there will be no similar water parks on the northern tier of Montana. The closest similar facilities are in Columbia Falls, Sidney, Lewistown, and Medicine Hat. In the Foundation’s prediction, the project will create a destination for the Hi-Line, thus contributing to local economies.
About the meeting’s results, DePriest commented: “I think there were some very good points made at the public hearing, and we will be addressing the concerns that were brought to our attention to help accommodate the wants of the community in reference to how the bond may be assessed. We are hopeful that with some adjustments, the community will support the repairs and upgrades to the pool and the park. Unfortunately, community attendance at our public meetings in the past fourteen months has been minimal, but we strongly urge everyone to come and give us their input. I also want the community to understand that if we do not start rehabilitating the pool soon, the sheer cost to fully replace the pool in the future will be significantly higher. We are trying to find a solution that will work for everyone.”
Anyone with questions regarding this project is encouraged not only to reach out to the FPPF board members but to attend an informational meeting. The next meeting will occur via Zoom on Tuesday, February 15 at 7:00 p.m. A link and details for how to join that meeting are available on the organization’s website: http://www.chinookfriends.org.
A second, in-person meeting is slated for Sunday, February 20 at 2:00 in the afternoon at the Chinook Senior Center. Interested people are invited to learn about the project, ask their questions, enjoy refreshments, and receive a free yard sign.
