County considers weekly newspapers as option for legal ads
BILLINGS — County officials are mulling over whether they want to change the publication designated as the official publisher of legal notices for Yellowstone County. It’s been about three years since County Commissioners designated the Billings Gazette as their publisher of legal notices. Raising the question last week was Jonathan McNiven, publisher of the Yellowstone […]
Mobile home taxes will likely increase
Originally published in the 5/12/17 print edition of the Yellowstone County News. YELLOWSTONE COUNTY— A change in how the Montana Department of Revenue (DOR) assesses mobile homes means that many mobile home owners will see an increase in their taxes – and owners will receive their assessments and tax bills later than usual. Assessments […]
Tax abatement program helps jump-start business projects
Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News. BILLINGS — It’s not without its critics. The tax abatement program that Yellowstone County and the City of Billings use to incentivize business growth, expansion and recruitment is often viewed as a “free pass” for some businesses, but it is anything but that according to […]
Commissioners hope to name Airport Road after Conrad Burns
-Originally printed in the Yellowstone County News print edition on 1/13/17 -by Evelyn Pyburn BILLINGS — Airport Road in Billings, from Main Street in the Heights to the 27th Street roundabout, could soon be known as the Conrad Burns Memorial Highway, in honor of the late senator who represented Montana for three terms. Upon the recommendation […]
County commissioners approve TEDD proposal
Published originally in the print edition of the Yellowstone County News. LOCKWOOD — A proposed Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) in Lockwood was finally approved just before Thanksgiving, by Yellowstone County Commissioners, following two years of research, study and planning. The TEDD — a tax increment financing district — will help finance infrastructure for […]
Proposed TEDD covers 570 acres in Lockwood area
Originally published in the Yellowstone County News print edition by Evelyn Pyburn. LOCKWOOD — Boundaries for the proposed Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) in Lockwood have been set and the process to create the special tax jurisdiction is nearing completion. The Comprehensive Development Plan for the TEDD will now go to the City/County Planning […]
Final numbers show successful MontanaFair
by Evelyn Pyburn-oringally published in the Yellowstone County news print edition. BILLINGS — The numbers show MontanaFair had another very successful year. MetraPark Manager Bill Dutcher reported the fair numbers to Yellowstone County Commissioners on Tuesday. MetraPark depends on fair revenues to fund about a fourth of its annual budget. With 226,333 people attending the fair, […]
Jail addition starts next spring
by Evelyn Pyburn-Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News. BILLINGS — Building a new addition to the jail will be a spring project. Bids are expected to be let in March, according to members of the design team with Schutz Foss Architects, who met last week with a group of county […]
Bill Kennedy praised at last commissioner meeting
by Evelyn Pyburn-Originally published in the Yellowstone County News 7/29/16 print edition. BILLINGS — Tuesday’s regular County Commissioners’ meeting was the last for Commissioner Bill Kennedy, who is retiring to take a position as head of the MSU Billings Foundation. Two other long-time county employees who are retiring were also recognized during the meeting — […]
Yellowstone County budgets suffer as CHS appeal drags on
Originally published in the print edition of the Yellowstone County News on 5/6/16 BILLINGS — The CHS (Laurel refinery) protested tax case could take as long as another five years to be resolved. In fact, Montana’s Department of Revenue (DOR) Director Mike Kadas said he thinks that’s the most likely scenario, which is much in […]