Infrastructure, and how to pay for it, is shaping up to be a key topic for the 2015 Montana legislative session.

During a Kalispell Chamber of Commerce lunch, Mayor Mark Johnson spoke Wednesday about hot-button issues concerning Kalispell likely to be discussed during the next legislative session, which begins in January.

According to the mayor, the city will fall around $3.5 million short each year in projected infrastructure costs, including costs needed to maintain current road, wastewater and sewer systems.

“These are the funds that we need to maintain the infrastructure we have in place,” he said. “This is not expansion. This isn’t improving or making it bigger for more residents. This is just paying the bill to keep our infrastructure sound.”

In addition, Kalispell is in need of a sewer line installed for the north end of town in order to continue to expand and develop.

“We are nearing a point where we will have to stop growth on the north end unless we start construction on that plan, on that line, in the next two to three years,” Johnson said.

The west-side interceptor plan, which would construct that sewer line, could cost the city up to $14 million.

In the past, the mayor said the city has continued to complete the bare minimum work each year, deferring larger projects until it can find a way to pay for them. Now, however, the mayor is out to drum up additional funding for the city.

“At some point in time, we will have to pay the piper,” he said. “We will have systems that fail.”

Johnson plans to work with legislators at the state and federal levels to brainstorm different ways to create that necessary revenue.

One option the mayor will push is a local-option sales tax, which would give municipalities a way to produce revenue without adding to property taxes. Instead of increasing property taxes for residents, the mayor hopes to draw on revenue from those in the county and tourism market who use the infrastructure but do not generally pay for it.

The Chamber passed out a questionnaire to luncheon participants Wednesday that asked for opinions on the local option tax, Gov. Steve Bullock’s proposal for funding infrastructure improvements using both cash and bond proceeds, and the governor’s proposal to spend $37 million to fund preschool for 4-year-olds.

Several local business people also spoke during the lunch to explain bills or drafts that could have impacts on business or industry.

Brian Clark, general manager at Fun Beverage Inc., talked about legislation that would impact the alcohol-beverage industry. Lisa Brown, general manager at Red Lion Hotel, discussed the legislative role in tourism and hospitality, and Paul McKenzie, lands and resource manager at F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co., discussed wood products.

Rep. Keith Regier, R-Kalispell, discussed the agenda of the GOP-run Legislature in more general terms. The newly elected House majority leader said the November election sent a clear message from the voters: “Stop President Obama’s agenda.”

The legislative session will convene on Jan. 5 and will run through mid-April. For more information, visit www.leg.mt.gov.

Reporter Brianna Loper may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at bloper@dailyinterlake.com.