A public hearing will be Wednesday to set the assessments for the recently created Rural Special Improvement District that will help fund the final round of Bigfork stormwater system improvements.

The hearing begins at 10 a.m. at the Flathead County commissioners chambers at the Courthouse.

The special tax district will raise $1.2 million of the $2.9 million total cost by levying taxes on 563 properties in Bigfork over a 20-year period.

The annual cost will be $138 per property, including interest, annually for the construction of the stormwater improvements. Property owners have the option of paying off the construction portion of the assessment up front, interest-free, for a total of $2,138.30.

The maintenance fee of $29.54 annually will fluctuate slightly each year, depending on the actual maintenance costs, according to county grantwriter Whitney Aschenwald.

The final phase will install new stormwater pipes along the north and south sides of Electric Avenue to the bridge, and from Montana 35 to Montana 209 to the steel bridge. Curbs and gutters will be installed, along with catch basins and filtration system.

Earlier phases of the stormwater system construction along Grand Avenue were funded with about $1.4 million in state grants.

Installation of a complete stormwater system will bring Bigfork up to state standards for stormwater pollutants that flow into Flathead Lake.

Bigfork’s old system of corrugated metal pipes has been inadequate for the growing bayside community.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.