Billings Reduces Building Permit Fees by 25%
The Billings City Council has approved a 25% reduction in permit fees, referring to the move as “a major step in the City’s commitment to supporting growth and affordability.” According to the City, it has been in extensive talks with local builders and developers over the last 18 months in order to identify opportunities for […]
Community Officials Mull Community Needs, Demands on Property Taxpayers
A meeting of City, County and School District officials, as well as many other community leaders, last Wednesday, was dominated by discussions of the future needs of the community and competing demands upon taxpayers, as the County pursues a levy and bond to expand the jail and School District 7 projects a mill levy request […]
How handy is that! Bill Kennedy
Dear Editor, In February, Torgesons, submitted an application to the (SBURA) TIF Board for $900,000.00 of taxpayer funded corporate welfare. I will admit I’m not sure what they required our money for. The TIF advisory board agreed to recommend to the city council to give them $300,000.00 of their $900,000.00 request. At the March 4 […]
County Responds to City’s Offer On Temporary Holding Facility
In advancing the agreement between the city and the county in the building of a short-term holding facility (STHF), the County Commissioners responded this week to the Billings City Council’s offer in February to contribute a total of $2 million to the cost. The temporary holding facility will be built to hold inmates for only […]
Was the Billings City Council a Staged Event?
Dear Editor, On July 10, in a City Council meeting, Councilman Mike Boyett made a motion to separate the two major items on the ballot for the $143 million funding request. He “apparently” felt that voters should have the choice of either OR neither of 1) $57 million for Parks and Trails and 2) $86 […]
City Votes to put Marijuana Back on the Ballot
While Yellowstone County outside the city limits of Billings will allow the growing, manufacturing and sale of recreational marijuana, whether those activities will be permissible within the city will be determined by Billings’ voters in a ballot measure in November.
Billings City Council Votes Yes to Public Safety Mill Levy Increase
The Billings City Council has approved placing a $7.1 million mill levy on the November 2 ballot for public safety. A study has found that public safety is a high priority of citizens, concerned about the increase in crime in Billings.
City Posed to Restrict Massage Businesses in Hopes of Ending Human Trafficking
Will adding to regulations for businesses who offer massage services help curb illegal human trafficking and prostitution? The Billings City Council is moving forward with a proposal to impose more regulations on businesses that provide massage therapy, including an additional business license.
Our newly diversified City Council is official
City Council saw fresh community representatives sworn in this past Monday evening by Judge Sheila Kolar. The singular incumbent Roy Neese was accompanied by the four newly elected Council members: Kendra Shaw, Danny Choriki, Pam Purinton and Mike Boyett. Ranging from conservative to democratic socialism this new line-up brings real diversity to the table.
New faces headed for City Council
Voters in Yellowstone County cast their votes for Billings City Council on Tuesday night, bringing out a total of 28,020 voters looking to select their new representatives for city government. With the Yellowstone County Elections Office reporting 73,457 total registered voters, that comes out to a 38% voter turnout for this election which while still […]