The Kalispell City Council will hold a public hearing Dec. 15 on a plan to extend a street-light tax to all parcels of land in the city. 

Currently, the light maintenance district only involves properties within 300 feet of a city street light pole, but city officials propose to expand the district to encompass the entire city and raise an additional $149,000 a year. 

During its regular meeting Monday, the council briefly reviewed the light maintenance district proposal.  

The city’s proposal would not only increase the light tax on existing parcels of land in the lighting district but impose a new tax on all other pieces of land.

Properties within 300 feet of a street light would be charged an annual tax of 0.33 cents per square foot, up from the current 0.30 cents per square foot. Those parcels not within 300 feet of a street light would be taxed 0.165 cents per square foot. This includes subdivisions with private lighting systems. 

The expanded lighting district would bring in $385,000 a year compared to $236,000 currently.

A report by the city found there are 7,372 parcels within 300 feet of a light within city limits and 2,137 parcels that are farther than 300 feet from a street light. 

The higher light taxes would be in effect for six years if approved.

The last tax increase in the light maintenance district was in 2003. 

The full proposal can be read online at www.kalispell.com/mayor_and_city_council/documents/ResolutionofIntentforLightMaintenanceDistrict.pdf.

In other business Monday, the City Council approved a memorandum of understanding that clarifies responsibilities for both the city and Kidsports. 

The city would be responsible for maintaining athletic fields, landscaping, roads, sewer and water, trash collection, winterization and game preparations. Kidsports will be responsible for development, construction, insurance liability, purchase of playground equipment, electric utilities, concession and restroom upkeep, temporary fencing, netting, benches, grandstands and the artificial surface at Miracle Field. 

The agreement will run for 20 years, extended “additional periods of five years upon such terms as the parties agree” thereafter. 

The council also approved a request from Howard Mann to vacate 15 amended plats at Silverbrook Estates, located north of Kalispell off U.S. 93. The approval restores 158 original lots that were consolidated during the economic downturn to save tax money. Silverbrook has now started to generate business again, requiring separate plats. 

The city’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plan was updated for 2014. The plan, created in 2009, is an effort to recognize threats and outline mitigation strategies on a countywide basis.  

A work session will be held Monday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m. at City Hall. The next regular city council meeting will be Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

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