By Mike Scholz GUEST COLUMNIST
The upcoming May election is once again at a turning point for the Big Sky community on several levels.
With all elections, things can go up, down or sideways for the community depending on your point of view and the outcomes. Over the last 35 years, there has been over $100 million collected on the 3% goods and services tax paid largely by tourists. By law, these resort tax collections are spent to fund infrastructure facilities or projects, public transportation, tourism development, and other services and facilities within the Big Sky Resort Area District.
Over the last four years, there has been $25 million collected by the new 1% infrastructure tax, initially dedicated to the new wastewater treatment plant. The Montana Legislature grants these taxing authorities to only a select few qualifying resort tax communities, districts or areas. The beauty of the resort tax is that the collections and bond payments are in no way connected to property taxes.
There is no question that these expenditures, paid through annual allocations, have made Big Sky a much more enjoyable, safer and livable community since 1992. In many cases, resort tax has reduced the need for property tax increases.
For years, the annual number of nonprofit organizations receiving grants have been many. You can find the record of allocations on the Resort Tax website. The list will surprise you as to the extent these grants go to addressing vital needs of Big Sky residents beyond what non-resort tax communities can carry out.
Impact of the May 6 election
Enough about the history and operational aspects of the Resort Tax. Why are these three votes on May 6 a turning point for our community?
When voting on the 3% resort tax renewal, a “YES” vote should be clear. Would you not want to continue to fund the services we and visitors have become accustomed to having through taxes assessed on visitors? This will renew the taxing authority for an added 40 years.
Regarding the Cold Smoke workforce housing bond, to me, this opportunity is about deciding what type of community Big Sky wants to be.
Over the last 35 years, Big Sky has worked to amend the first resort tax law to obtain more self-governing powers, to have the same bonding authority that resort municipalities in the state have long had, and most recently, to expand the definition of infrastructure to include “workforce housing.”
With the extraordinary growth in the 1% collections dedicated to infrastructure, Big Sky is now able to commit to a long-term plan and land acquisition to truly have affordable workforce housing on a level equal with other destination ski resorts of western states.
I believe the reason for a “YES” vote for this Cold Smoke Bond goes well beyond the obvious: a local workforce is needed to keep businesses running. These individuals and their families, present and future, will become the vibrant and necessary members of our community, no different than earlier generations did from the start. Whenever positive economic conditions have existed allowing residents to plant a stake in the ground and call Big Sky home, it has happened. Those conditions do not exist today.
Over my 53 years in Big Sky, when given a fair chance—with determination and a little luck—some people have not only flourished in providing for their families, but have provided much of the backbone of our community. We need to keep that dream alive with a little help to sustain our community.
Finally, the Community Park Bond completes efforts already begun through generous charitable gifts and pledges to the “ALL OUT for Parks and Trails” campaign paying for 50% of the total work required. In past years, the Resort Tax board using the 3% funding has made annual allocations matching smaller amounts dragging out the projects as costs escalate and needs are not met in a timely manner. Stepping forward and voting “YES” to complete the park seems to be the wisest decision, especially with the commitment of BSCO not to come back for any request for capital improvement funds during the next three years of allocations if bonding is approved.
This community park serves our residents, seasonal workforce, and visitors of all ages.
Please keep in mind that when Resort Tax bonding was made possible by state law, conservative safeguards were put in place protecting against default or severe harm of annual allocations. Workforce affordable housing requirements have been designed along those of other resorts that have had years of experience.
I hope you will take the time to vote “YES” on all three ballot issues.
Since 1972, Mike Scholz has called Big Sky home. He was the owner, developer, and manager of Buck T-4 Lodge, founder of the Big Sky Chamber of Commerce, and served on numerous public boards in Big Sky.
