League of Cities & Towns Resolutions

Resolution #1 - General policies and principles to determine the position of the League on bills introduced in the 2007 Legislature that are not covered by specific membership resolutions.

Resolution #2 - Local Option Taxes. The League will arrange introduction of a bill to allow all cities, towns and counties to impose a voter-approved tax of up to 4% on goods and services connected to the tourist economy, with 25% of the tax collections going into a regional revenue sharing account. If the local option measure is rejected, the League will support incremental increases in the population limit on the resort tax to benefit cities and tourist destinations that do not qualify under current law.

Resolution #3 - Accommodations Tax Distribution. The League will arrange introduction of legislation to distribute 3% of the accommodations tax to the local governments where it is collected to cover the cost of services and facilities related to tourism. The League will also support a voter approved local option lodging tax not to exceed 3%.

Resolution #4 - Finance Policy. The League will support bills to (1) revise the Public Defender Law to require the growth factor for the Entitlement Program to be applied before assessments are subtracted; (2) clarify the phase-in of property values after each reappraisal cycle and its application to new construction; (3) reimburse local governments for loss of revenue from the tax exemption on business equipment; (4) allow cities to sell bonds through local banks; (5) allow cities to attach insurance claim payments for demolishing structures destroyed by fire or other causes; (6) prohibit state agencies from requiring unreasonable indemnification clauses as a condition of loans; (7) allow adoption of separate water and sewer rates for low income residents; (8) increase debt limit on general obligation bonds; (9) fund continuation of the Main Street Program; (10) allow cities and counties to adopt a realty transfer tax of up to 1% with voter approval and committing 5% of proceeds to property tax relief with discretion in use of the remaining proceeds; (11) extend time for payment of sidewalk assessments to 20 years; (12) amend 15-10-420, MCA, to allow municipal property tax collections to increase by the full rate of inflation, and (13) provide for equal assessment of parcels in street lighting districts in addition to front footage and taxable value methods. The League will oppose bills to (1) reduce, freeze, or in any way interfere with distribution of Entitlement Payments to local governments; (2) transfer state programs or responsibilities to local governments without full, fair and permanent reimbursement of all costs; (3) exempt state or local education levies from the base of Tax Increment Finance Districts established in the future; and (4) increase assessments on cities and towns for the Public Defender Program unless it can be shown costs are necessary and reasonable

Resolution #5 - Land Use and Environmental Regulation. The League will support legislation to (1) encourage use of community sewer systems, including a measure to increase minimum lot size for installation of septic systems; (2) promote development practices that assure best use of land and cost efficient delivery of services; (3) require local governments to provide written explanations only to those conditions imposed on a subdivision to which written objections are submitted; (4) repeal 76-2-312, MCA, which denies extraterritorial planning and zoning jurisdiction to cities organized under the commission-manager form of government; and (5) repeal or amend the Mega Landfill Siting Act. The League will oppose legislation to (1) restrict city and town annexation authority; (2) allow incorporation of new municipalities within three miles of existing cities to avoid annexation; (3) reduce percentage of protests necessary to block creation of Special Improvement Districts for sanitary sewer service; (4) make unnecessary or unworkable changes to the Subdivision Laws; and (5) amend provisions of the Impact Fee Law.

Resolution #6 - Protective Services and General Operations. The League will support legislation to (1) require primary enforcement of safety belt laws; (2) provide enhanced emergency communications services to all areas of the state as recommended by the 911 advisory committee; (3) allow suspended firefighter to accept disciplinary action and waive the right to a hearing before the city council or personnel review board; and (4) require the "Last Best Offer Package" in police arbitration be submitted no later than 14 days prior to the hearing. The League will oppose legislation to (1) revise fire service laws without consultation and consent of cities; and (2) deny local governments and school districts the right to generate power or acquire electricity and natural gas supplies on the open market. The League will monitor and consult with the membership on legislation to (1) adjust benefits under Public Employees Retirement System; (2) increase municipal contributions from employer side to reduce unfunded liabilities in the various retirement accounts; and (3) authorize additional alcoholic beverages licenses.

Resolution #7 - Ballot Measures and Other Proposed Legislation. The League opposes CI-97, CI-98 and CI-154 and will work to defeat these measures if placed on the ballot or considered by the Legislature. The League supports legislation to require those gathering signatures for initiative petitions to be Montana registered voters with valid identification.