All the attention in Kalispell city government these days seems to surround attracting new business and redeveloping the old.
This year’s city council candidates shared their plans for how to do that along with what their visions are for the city in an open forum at a Kalispell Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Red Lion Hotel on Oct. 18.
Three incumbents and three new candidates running for seats on the eight-person Kalispell City Council focused on one of the most common issues being tackled by the current council – the economy – in front of roughly 150 attendees.
“We really need to focus on business incentives in Kalispell. We cannot wait for the federal government,” Phil Guiffrida III, who is running in Ward 4, said. “We need to really focus on creating jobs for the taxpayers.”
Guiffrida is eyeing a seat left vacant by retiring Councilor Duane Larson, who has served since 1990 and recently won a lifetime achievement award for his public service. Guiffrida’s opponent, Cecilia Lee, did not appear at the forum.
The most hotly contested ward this year is Ward 2, which spans the northeast part of the city. Two new candidates – Chad Graham and Erik Jerde – are running against incumbent Wayne Saverud.
Saverud, who has served one term, spoke out in favor of the expansion and use of the West Side Tax Increment Finance District, which could help fund redevelopment in the evolving Urban Renewal Plan. Saverud emphasized the importance of revitalizing downtown, and he cited the TIF as one way to do that.
“We’re at a pivotal position in our history and we have the ability to potentially reinvent the core of Kalispell,” he said.
When it came to the TIF, Graham said he would rather look into a partial sunset of funds if possible, which Guiffrida seconded. Jerde was opposed to it altogether.
Randy Kenyon, running for reelection essentially unopposed in Ward 3 – his opponent, Walter Keathley, is no longer actively campaigning – said he supported using and expanding the TIF. Kari Gabriel, running unopposed in Ward 1, said first there needs to be a clear redevelopment project before she makes a decision.
A majority of candidates spoke out against relying on impact fees or retail transaction fees in their current state, while Gabriel noted their complexity and the city’s need to explore the options.
When it came to a local option sales tax, which would be similar to a resort tax and help pay for infrastructure needs, Gabriel and Kenyon expressed their support. Gabriel used the current model in Las Vegas as an example of positive results for a local economy.
Jerde said he would support the local option sales tax if property taxes were done away with, an idea he touted on numerous occasions.
Ballots have been mailed out to voters and are due back by Nov. 8. Residents can register to vote until election day.