Belgrade, Montana Development News
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Belgrade City Council Approves Preliminary Fiscal Year 2027 Budget with Tax Rate Adjustments and Personnel Changes
The Belgrade City Council adopted Resolution 2026-15, approving the preliminary fiscal year 2027 budget. The budget presentation detailed revenue sources, including charges for services (water, wastewater, impact fees) and tax revenue, which constitutes 32% of total revenue, budgeted at $9.1 million. The budget anticipates changes to the tax rate due to Senate Bill 117, affecting taxable property values. Major expenses include personnel costs (55%) and debt service. The budget includes salary and benefit increases for staff, represented and unrepresented, and adds a new Chief Civil Attorney position. It also details debt payments, long-term debt, and fund summaries, including the relocation of the technology department into an internal service fund and changes to revenue allocations for park rental and business licenses. The general fund supports other funds like the library, planning, senior center, and street maintenance. The presentation also covered specific fund budgets for forestry, library, planning, senior citizens, urban renewal district, building inspections, street maintenance, water, wastewater, facilities maintenance, fleet, technology, permissive medical levy, impact fees, fuel tax, library debt, and SID 78 payoff. The preliminary budget maintains a general fund balance estimated at 10.11% of total expenses. The council aims to submit for a GFOA budget award next fiscal year due to improved transparency and organization.
Belgrade Approves One-Year Extension for Stone Creek Subdivision Preliminary Plat Amidst Water Rights Delays
The Belgrade City Council considered a request for a preliminary plat extension for the Stone Creek subdivision (formerly Black Rock Major Subdivision). The subdivider requested a three-year extension, but staff recommended a one-year approval to allow for annual review. The property is located west of Bollinger and south of Weaver. The preliminary plat was approved on May 15, 2023, with findings of fact signed June 26, 2023. The primary reason for the extension request is a delay in obtaining a 'place of use' revision for water rights from DNRC, which is necessary before water distribution can be extended and construction can begin. This issue has been ongoing for several years and is beyond the developer's control. The developer, West Town Holdings represented by Ethan with Alpine Surveying and Engineering and developer John Rosa, argued for a three-year extension due to the scope of the project and the continued delays in securing water rights, noting that they have already invested significantly in infrastructure like the lift station and force main. They highlighted bureaucratic delays in permitting and design iterations. The council ultimately approved a one-year extension, stating that significant progress should be made within that year given the headway on the DNRC front.
Belgrade City Council Adopts Fiscal Year 2027 Master Fee Schedule
The Belgrade City Council discussed and adopted Resolution 2026-10, approving the fiscal year 2027 master fee schedule. This schedule was established last year and is now part of the regular budget process. Changes detailed in Exhibit A of the resolution were discussed in a prior workshop. The resolution adopts the master fee schedule with an effective date of August 1st, 2026.
McMillan Property Annexation and Rezoning to Mixed Residential Approved on First Reading
The Belgrade City Council considered and approved on first reading a zone map amendment to annex the McMillan property into the city and zone it as a mixed residential district. The property is located between South Alaska Road and Jackrabbit Lane, north of Macmillan Lane. The request was made by RC Properties LLC. A public hearing was held where a representative from the Horseshoe Meadows subdivision expressed no opposition and a desire to work with the developer. The final hearing is scheduled for July 20th. The planning board had previously voted unanimously to approve this amendment. This approval allows for a future subdivision of the property under the existing future land use map designation. The annexation agreement, also approved, requires the developer to install all relevant road and utility improvements and convey any associated water rights to the city.
Belgrade Parks and Recreation District Approves FY2027 Budget with New Programs and Capital Projects
The Belgrade City Council approved the fiscal year 2027 budget for the Belgrade Regional Parks, Trails, and Recreation District. The Parks Board had previously approved this budget. Key adjustments include a transfer from the permissive medical levy fund for health insurance offset and the addition of a debt service payment for a $6 million bond issue. The operating budget includes a new line item for recreational programming, covering costs like the fireworks display, and funds for shade structures at Ryan Glen Park, a dump trailer, and a side-by-side ATV with a plow. The city will now handle contributions to the Fall Festival and Festival of Lights, moving them from the city council's budget. The Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) fund will receive a $127,000 transfer from operations, with ongoing projects continuing and the addition of Phase two of the bike park and a volleyball court. A splash pad update study, funded in last year's budget, aims to assess current conditions, maintenance needs, and future public desires to create a master plan. Concerns were raised about funding studies versus direct action, but the majority of the cost is for expansion planning.
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