The Kalispell City Council is asking for public input Monday as it holds the first of two votes on an ordinance to expand the West Side Tax Increment Financing District.

If approved, the district’s boundary would grow to include 364 acres of land targeted for redevelopment in the grant-funded Kalispell Core Area Revitalization Plan that’s being finalized.

The proposed expansion area follows the railroad spur in Kalispell, bordered by Washington Street to the north, First Street to the south and city limits to the east and west.

Some city officials see the West Side Tax Increment Financing District as an important tool to help spur investment in the railroad corridor over the next two decades.

The West Side fund currently holds $2.3 million and generates about $400,000 in tax increment a year.

That’s money Kalispell can use to improve public infrastructure, eliminate blight, foster investment that leads to job creation and property value growth and accomplish other goals spelled out in its urban renewal and revitalization plans.

Chief among those goals is removing the railroad tracks and relocating two businesses that use them — CHS Kalispell and Northwest Drywall and Roofing — to a rail park being developed at the former McElroy and Wilken gravel pit by the Flathead County Economic Development Authority.

The feasibility of that goal and others is being explored by Willdan Financial Services in a grant-funded study that should be completed by early next year.

If the West Side Tax Increment Financing District is enlarged, taxable property values in the proposed expansion area would be capped.

Any taxes that are collected above those caps if property values rise would go into the district’s fund. There, the money can be used for revitalization efforts or if the council decides paid back out to general funds of the city, county and schools.

The district was created in 1997 and was on track to sunset last March.

As that sunset approached, the City Council voted to issue $500,000 in bonds to improve South Meridian Road and upgrade a water line along West Colorado Street. That debt will be paid off by the district and extended its life for up to 25 more years.

IN OTHER business Monday, the City Council will consider requests to:

• Confirm firefighter Brent Councilor, who completed his probationary period with the Kalispell Fire Department;

• Award an engineering contract to Morrison-Maierle for stormwater drainage improvements in the Willows;

• Issue a two-year preliminary plat extension for phase one of Glacier Town Center;

• Adjust plat boundary lines for two lots on Mile High Court;

• Reduce the city’s tax levy by 1.8 mills because an original calculation did not factor in a $69,988 reimbursement related to Senate Bill 372, which cut business equipment taxes in Montana.

Monday’s meeting starts at 7 p.m. in Kalispell City Hall, 201 First Ave. E. It is open to the public.

Reporter Tom Lotshaw may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at tlotshaw@dailyinterlake.com.