Leaders aim to inform voters about initiatives on the May ballot
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
Big Sky’s registered voters will face big decisions this spring.
In the May 6 mail-in election, voters will decide on potential long-term bonding to fund the Cold Smoke workforce housing project and the Big Sky Community Park renovations, and whether to renew Big Sky’s 3% resort tax.
The Big Sky Community Housing Trust, Big Sky Community Organization and Big Sky Resort Area District are working together to educate voters about each initiative which they believe will help improve Big Sky’s long-term “livability,” according to a Feb. 28 press release from Livable Big Sky, the new partnership and education effort with the tagline “Let’s shape it together.”
In January, the BSRAD board made the massive commitment to include both projects on the May 2025 ballot, totaling up to $66.8 million in public debt—a $60 million bond for Cold Smoke, and $6.8 million bond for the Big Sky Community Park. Both bonds require voter approval. BSRAD also aims to renew Big Sky’s 3% resort tax through 2065.
Although BSRAD legally cannot advocate for either the Cold Smoke or community park projects—BSRAD can and does advocate for its own 3% renewal—board members have expressed a desire to ensure voters understand what’s on their May 2025 ballot.
Renewal of 3% resort tax
The release explained that the resort tax renewal preserves the impact of Resort Tax.
Big Sky has levied its 3% resort tax since 1992, but its current term is set to expire in seven years. If voters extend the term until 2065, BSRAD believes it will not only preserve a “vital” funding source for essential services and infrastructure, but the extension will help BSRAD enact long-term financing tools such as bonding, which allows BSRAD to issue debt based on future resort tax collections.
“A longer-term commitment provides greater flexibility and stability to support Big Sky for years to come,” the release stated.
For months, BSRAD has emphasized that neither the 3% renewal nor voter-approved bonds will increase the tax rate or impose any new taxes on residents or visitors.
Big Sky Community Park renovation
The BSRAD board decided on Feb. 4 to separate bonds on the ballot, allowing residents to vote their support for either, neither or both the Cold Smoke development and Big Sky Community Park renovation.
The Big Sky Community Organization believes the Community Park Bond is an investment in Big Sky’s health, wellness and future, helping the community retain its full-time residents by offering healthy outlets for community across more months of the year.
“By upgrading existing facilities and introducing new amenities, this initiative addresses the needs of our growing community while enhancing safety, accessibility, and quality for all users. These improvements aim to create a space that supports a healthy, thriving, and connected community,” the release stated.
Cold Smoke
The Big Sky Community Housing Trust believes Cold Smoke will be an important step toward addressing local housing needs.
Based on Big Sky’s housing needs assessment, created in 2018 and updated in 2023 by the housing trust, the community needs roughly 1,300 additional housing units by 2028. Cold Smoke could account for nearly 400 if the neighborhood’s creation is enabled by community vote.
According to the release, “Cold Smoke will add 389 deed-restricted homes for rent and purchase, reserved exclusively for Big Sky’s workforce and their families, regardless of their employer.”
If voters approve, BSRAD will bond up to $60 million for the project—up to $15 million for “infrastructure” as funded by the 1% infrastructure resort tax, and up to $45 million for land acquisition.
Livable Big Sky will host a series of events this spring to engage and educate voters ahead of the election, including “Dirtbag Après,” a family-oriented forum, a pair of “project showcases” led by BSCO and the housing trust, and “Ballots & Brews with Explore Big Sky.”
The release encouraged voters to attend a public meeting, engage in discussions and gain a deeper understanding of how these investments will impact Big Sky’s future.
“Ultimately, Big Sky’s vote is their voice.”
