Leaders celebrate voter-approved commitments to local infrastructure
By Jen Clancey and Jack Reaney
In a highly anticipated May 6 election, Big Sky voters faced decisions regarding workforce and teacher-specific housing, community park infrastructure, the future of Big Sky’s 3% resort tax and one neighborhood’s initiative to rescue its failing septic infrastructure.
After months of education and outreach from organization leaders, all five ballot initiatives received “yes” votes from the majority of Big Sky voters, moving the projects forward. Final unofficial results will be confirmed by the Gallatin County Commission on Monday, May 19. Big Sky Resort Area District Executive Director Daniel Bierschwale applauded the community’s turnout.
“In the May election last year, we had around 940 votes, and that ballooned to over 1,200 votes in this year,” Bierschwale said. “ It was a wildly successful and participated-in ballot.”
Perhaps the most hotly contested project, the Cold Smoke housing neighborhood received 735 votes in favor and 455 votes against. The majority approval by voters authorizes Resort Tax to take out long-term debt to fund the Cold Smoke neighborhood, led by the Big Sky Community Housing Trust, including $39.75 million for land acquisition and up to $15 million for infrastructure.
The housing trust will move forward with a land purchase, and Executive Director David O’Connor celebrated the decision of Big Sky voters in a written statement to EBS, crediting community members for their decision to invest in the same opportunities that have enabled “remarkable locals” to do “remarkable things” since Big Sky was founded.
“For decades, locals have had no choice but to sit by and watch as more and more of the community’s dwindling land is snapped up for homes that are further and further out of reach,” O’Connor stated. “Cold Smoke will for the first time enable us to stop the clock, and ensure there is always a place in Big Sky for our full-time year-round locals to call home.”
The Cold Smoke Bond was part of the recent Livable Big Sky education campaign, and O’Connor added the vote enables the vision of a livable community for decades to come. “This vote demonstrates how an inquisitive, informed and engaged community can effect real, lasting change. Big Sky has always been willing to step up to the plate to tackle our own challenges, and this vote shows we are more committed than ever to ensuring a Livable Big Sky for all of our residents,” O’Connor stated.
In a separate housing effort, the Big Sky School District was successful in pursuing a general fund levy to support teacher housing by collecting an additional $300,000 per year.
The levy passed 611 to 494, according to final unofficial results, making it the closest of the five key initiatives—one key difference is the levy affects property taxes, unlike the other Livable Big Sky efforts. Taxpayers can expect to see annual property taxes rise by a few dozen dollars, depending on the value of their home. A $500,000 home will see taxes increase by $18.70, a $1 million home will see taxes increase by $37.40, and a $3 million home will pay $112 more.
School district Superintendent Dustin Shipman thanked voters for approving the levy.
“The district is always humbled by the community’s support. This particular levy will go a long way in supporting our staff with the challenges housing presents in our community as well as help us get our second phase of on-campus housing over the finish line in the coming year,” Shipman stated in an email. The school district will use the levy dollars to construct six cabins for teachers, among other housing initiatives including rent assistance, stipends and purchase assistance.
“I can speak for all the school community when I say thank you for your support,” Shipman stated.
The Big Sky Community Organization celebrated a landslide approval of its Community Park Bond, with 851 votes in favor to 335 against. The bond enables Resort Tax to bond up to $6.8 million for Big Sky Community Park renovations.
Plans to renovate the park became less controversial after BSCO announced it would no longer pursue artificial turf. BSCO’s Chief Executive Office Madeleine Feher and Director of Development and Communications Liv Grubaugh celebrated the community’s support of the project.
“We are deeply grateful to every voter, donor, advocate and community member who showed up, spoke up and believed in what Big Sky deserves,” Feher stated in an email. “This outcome reflects our collective commitment to building a stronger, more connected Big Sky and is a true testament to what we can achieve together.”
Grubaugh expressed excitement to get the project going, one that she believes is an investment for the community.
“We have said it throughout this voter education process; this is more than an investment in a park, it is an investment in our community’s future–and the passage of this bond is a powerful affirmation of what our town values and envisions for its future,” Grubaugh stated in an email.
As both Resort Tax bonds moved forward, a key component of the long-term financing equation was confirmed: an extension of Big Sky’s 3% resort tax through 2065. The extension enables the Big Sky Resort Area District to use long-term financing tools such as bonding, issuing debt based on future resort tax collections.
“ I am thrilled that the community saw value in the resort tax, and how that funding tool has been used in Big Sky has really been transformative,” Bierschwale said. “Another 30 years into the future of the resort tax is a bright future for our community, and stability for all of the organizations that are supported through these public tax dollars.”
He celebrated the participation of the Big Sky community in the Livable Big Sky campaign.
“I would just say thank you to the Big Sky community for being such active participants,” Bierschwale said. “We’re going to remain committed into the future to continuing to engage our citizens and voters as much as possible.”
In other Resort Tax news, board member Michelle Kendziorski was confirmed as a member of the board by a wide margin of 902 to 120 votes. She was first appointed in October 2024 to fill the seat originally left by Steve Johnson, who passed away in April 2024.
Finally, the Firelight Meadows community executed their challenging mission to garner enough votes to create a water and sewer district and rectify environmental deficiencies of its septic infrastructure.
Last year, the neighborhood’s unanimous 107 votes in support fell one shy of the minimum voter participation threshold of 40%. This year, the effort earned 147 votes from 207 qualified electors, good for 71% participation and another showing of unanimous support.
Becky Brockie, Firelight resident and community volunteer, provided a written statement to EBS to celebrate the high voter turnout and successful effort.
“The successful formation of the Firelight Meadows Water and Sewer District marks a pivotal milestone for the Firelight community and a critical step toward resolving the deficiencies of our existing septic system,” Brockie stated. “This victory lays the groundwork for our ultimate goal: annexation into the Big Sky County Water and Sewer District. Annexation will vastly improve Firelight’s waste management services and help protect the Gallatin River watershed. This is a win not just for our neighborhood, but for the greater Big Sky community.”
Big Sky School District adds two board members
In an uncontested race with two candidates for two positions, Barbara Rowley and Betsy Biggerstaff earned positions on the Big Sky School District board. They earned 720 and 844 votes, respectively.
The school board election results will be finalized separately from the May 19 Gallatin County Commission canvass. New board members must instead be confirmed by the Big Sky School District.
