The Whitefish City Council approved Explore Whitefish's budget, a solid waste fee increase, a zoning text amendment and a few other items at its meeting last week. 

A rate increase for residential and commercial garbage services was approved by a vote of 5-1, with Councilor Giuseppe Caltabiano in opposition.  

The current monthly cost for residential services, $17.25, will increase to $20.34. Republic Services charges the city $17.34 for garbage hauling, and the city’s billing administration fee of $3 covers the cost of mailing, postage and staff time. 

“Importantly, garbage rates have not been increased since June 2022 and include administrative fees, the city portion of the monthly rate, for both residential and commercial accounts at amounts less than those charged in 2015,” said Whitefish City Manager Dana Smith’s report. 

The city provides billing services for 4,142 residential accounts and 469 commercial accounts within city limits.  

"To ensure continued funding of services based on the contracted rates and projected increase in billing operational costs, a 3.25% automatic increase is proposed for May 2026 and May 2027,” Smith’s report continued.  

Republic Services can increase its fee by 3.25% each year, per the contract. 

The operating cost for fiscal year 2026 is estimated to be over $1.8 million with about $207,000 going toward the cost of billing. 

Councilor Giuseppe Caltabiano said Republic Services was not holding up its side of the contract, yet the council was voting to uphold the city’s side. 

“We're bound to follow our contracts. There is a period of cure that they would have to be able to correct those deficiencies, once notified. As of right now, that contract is still valid,” Smith said. “The issue we face right now is that these are past fees that they’ve increased and so we’re having to increase more than the 3.25% in one year.” 

The council discussed eliminating mandatory garbage service. Smith said there is a survey online, at the Engage Whitefish website, to gauge the public’s interest in mandatory garbage service. 

“Mandated garbage has been in effect since 1918,” Whitefish City Attorney Angela Jacobs said. “If you really want to see a change in that, then we require people to haul their own garbage.” 

Residents would also be able to hire Republic for garbage pickup. 

Councilor Andy Feury said he appreciated the discussion about eliminating the service, that was not the issue immediately before the council. 

“Our contract obligation to Republic, today, is to pay that and unlike they think they can do in Washington, we can’t simply wave a magic wand, and have it change tomorrow,” Feury said. “We need to continue to provide that service and we need to be able to pay for that service.” 

THE CITY REQUESTED a zoning text amendment to fix an error and clarify setbacks from runways, helipads and accessory buildings. 

Recently, a permit for a hangar at the city airport was rescinded when the Whitefish Community Development Board found the code required a 300-foot setback from the airport, a measurement which was determined to be an error, and should have been a setback from runways. 

“We clarified that aircraft safety setbacks applied to landing strips and helipads and accessory buildings, not the entirety of an airport,” Whitefish Planning Director David Taylor said. “We are clarifying that and basing it on FAA standards.” 

Four people, including three named Seeman, spoke in favor of the airport and Kate McMahon said she values the airport but has concerns about off-site safety issues. 

The amendment was approved by a vote of 4-2, with Councilors Ben Davis and Rebecca Norton in opposition. 

THE COUNCIL reviewed and approved Explore Whitefish's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget. Its estimated public budget is $305,000. 

Board Chair Mariah Joos said funds from the bed tax do not cover the cost of managing tourism, visitor resources and keeping local tourism and hospitality related businesses thriving. She said Explore Whitefish privately funds over 75% of its annual costs through membership revenues and its 1% for Whitefish program. 

Joos shared that in 2023 about 1,159,000 non-resident visitors passed through Whitefish and in 2024 there were 951,000. While that number dropped, the number of visitors staying the night rose from 422,000 in 2023, to 598,000 in 2024. 

The annual average occupancy for traditional lodging in fiscal year 2024 was 52.5%. Joos said the annual average occupancy of short-term rentals was 51.1% which is less than the national average of 56.7%. 

DIRECTOR OF PARKS, Recreation and Community Services, Maria Butts, received authorization to bid construction of the storage garage foundation, drainage improvements and the WAG well development project for Phase 4 of the Armory Park Master Plan. 

In fiscal year 2025, Parks and Recreation will complete the installation of a small playground and some other park amenities.  

“Additionally, we have completed engineering on drainage improvements around the Armory building, a WAG well development and a storage garage foundation,” Butts said. “We continue to work on engineering for the reconstruction of one softball field, the removal and associated drainage improvements to the second existing softball field, restrooms, playground paths and benches, and an additional south parking lot.” 

The current estimate for the preliminary construction cost is $208,205 and the project will be funded with resort tax dollars. 

THE COUNCIL also voted unanimously to adopt the city’s ethics policy and to approve a permit for a bar/lounge at 16 Baker Ave.