I want to thank F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber Co. for being great neighbors and partners with the City of Whitefish.

For over 100 years, Stoltze has allowed the city to access, operate and maintain its water supply as a neighborly accommodation on nothing more than a simple handshake.

In my tenure as mayor of Whitefish, I have seen no other opportunity more important than this once in a lifetime chance to protect Haskill Basin and secure the permanent protection of our drinking water.

Whitefish is a lively and special community. We debate important issues with vigor and often have different ideas on the best ways to continue to make Whitefish a special place to live, work, and raise families.

For the past year the city council and city staff worked with The Trust for Public Land to evaluate a variety of options to protect our legal rights and ensure the city’s water supply is permanently protected from development. We have watched other communities struggle with water issues and have taken important steps to make sure our future is secure.

After careful study of the issues and input from the community, the city council decided the best option for protecting our water is to add 1 percent to the resort tax for the next 10 years, expiring in 2025. This would avoid costly increases on water bills or property taxes and allow city residents, local users, and visitors to share in the investment to protect the land and long term viability of the city’s water supply source.

I can’t think of a better legacy project for our community, but the ultimate choice is up to the voters. I encourage every city resident to cast their ballot and have your voice heard. Ballots can be mailed to the Flathead County Election Office or dropped in the water bill slot at City Hall by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28.

— John Muhlfeld is mayor of Whitefish