The Polson City Commission also had a packed agenda on Monday, Aug. 18, beyond approving the annual budget document.

As part of the finance discussions, one resolution on the agenda proposed dissolving Special Improvement District 42. This account was created in 2007 to improve Main Street, including pavement, sidewalks, curbs, gutters and street lighting. 

The SID was intended to be finalized in December 2008. However, in 2010, the city issued a bond to fund the SID's construction, and it has since been paid off. The dissolution resolution stated that the remaining funds would be transferred to the special improvement district revolving fund. 

City Finance Officer Jodi O’Sullivan, who presented this resolution to the commission, noted that when the city closed other SID accounts, those funds were also transferred to the revolving fund. She added that those funds can then be used to cover the initial costs of a future SID. 

Special improvement districts are defined geographic areas where property owners pay an additional tax to fund local public projects. O’Sullivan said about $31,000 remains in the SID 42 account. 

During public comment, retired city treasurer Bonnie Manicke said the streetscape district was overassessed in 2023, and O’Sullivan took the initiative to determine whether it needed reassessment in 2024. 

However, payments were made in 2023, meaning the funds remaining in the account should have been refunded to the property owners then, Manicke said. 

“I have no personal gain in the special improvement district creation or sunset of the funds; rather, the issue is to maintain adequate disbursement of the funds in accordance with the bond resolution,” Manicke said. “I encourage the commission to table the agenda item and complete research.”

She added that the project was difficult to complete and that a proper sunset and resolution would resolve those issues.

Another Polson resident, Becky Dupuis, also spoke during public comment and said that, according to her research, $37,500 was placed in the SID revolving fund when SID 42 was created. Dupuis said that would mean over $60,000 would be transferred to the revolving fund, which “seems like a lot of money to not return” to property owners.  

Dupuis added that she is unsure whether the $37,500 is the correct amount, but she believes someone should look into it.

Mayor Laura Dever asked whether O’Sullivan or City Attorney Dave Michie wanted to address the questions from public comment during this meeting, but O’Sullivan said everything discussed requires reviewing records from years past. 

The commission was unsure what this resolution meant for the SID account and remaining funds. However, city staff clarified that this was merely a resolution of intent to close the account, and a public hearing will be held in September to receive “any additional comment.” 

O’Sullivan explained that transferring the funds involves multiple steps, and she has to determine whether those funds are taxpayer reserve funds or city funds from when the bond was created. 

Commissioner Carolyn Pardini said she wants the commission to consider returning the money to the people who paid it, rather than transferring it to the revolving fund to start the next project. 

“It behooves the city to make an honest attempt to turn that money back,” she said. 

Questions about the wording of this resolution were raised further, and Commissioner Lisa Rehard asked Michie whether approving this resolution would prohibit them from refunding this money to the taxpayers. 

Michie said he doesn’t believe it would, and the commission could amend the details for how it is transferred or refunded as part of the final decisions on this SID.

Rehard suggested amending the motion to approve the resolution of intent to dissolve Special Improvement District 42 and “to make such further decisions concerning the disposition of any remaining funds.” 

The commission unanimously approved Rehard's motion. 

City manager hiring update 

The commission also considered a proposal to approve extending Interim City Manager George Simpson’s contract until April 5, 2027, or sooner if a permanent city manager is hired. 

Simpson stepped into the interim role in May after the previous city manager resigned. However, Simpson’s contract only extended until Sept. 21 because he was accepted into the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., to advance his law enforcement training.

Unfortunately, Simpson injured his knee during the Battle of the Badges softball game early this month, deferring his plans to attend the academy. 

In a separate interview with the Leader, Simpson explained that the job posting has been closed but will reopen in January. Simpson said they decided to reopen the posting at the beginning of the year because he and O’Sullivan were able to increase the position’s salary, and they hope the commission will have an answer by then on whether the golf course can be leased. 

The position will be readvertised at $110,000 to $120,000. 

Reopening the posting in January means they could potentially start conducting interviews in February and hopefully have an applicant committed by the end of March. The commission unanimously approved the extension of Simpson’s contract. 

Other agenda items 

The consent agenda also included approval of the Fire Board Appeals bylaws. However, the consent agenda typically includes the prior month’s claims and the previous meeting minutes. 

This led the commission to move the item from the consent agenda to the first item of new business. During discussion of this item, Rehard suggested changes to the document's terminology. 

Fire Chief Kevin Straub said they can make the changes, have the appeals board approve it again and then bring it back to the commission at a later date. The commission withdrew this item from this meeting's agenda.

During the city manager comment, George Simpson notified the commission that he applied for a $500,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant to purchase patrol vehicles. This grant has no match requirement. 

Simpson noted that staff will continue to seek grants across all city departments. Mayor Dever added that Simpson has done an amazing job in just a few months, helping the city find grant opportunities. 

Simpson added that following the Montana State University Extension government training, the city has decided to disable comments on its social media pages. He said this isn’t about any particular comment or incident but reflects the “city's responsibility to ensure that public communication is addressed appropriately.”

Currently, no city staff members constantly monitor the city's social media accounts, and he said that items of public interest should be addressed through the proper channels. 

During the meeting, Mayor Dever also recognized “invaluable” City Clerk Cora Pritt for her 20 years of service with the city and presented her with a plaque. Dever said Pritt is the “heart of this building,” the crossing guard who keeps everybody in line and knows all the rules.