City Business . . .

Taken from the unapproved minutes and reporter’s notes of the regular meeting of City Council, City of Scobey, Montana held Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.

REGULAR MEETING Mayor Morgan Lekvold called the meeting to order with councilmembers Seth Axtman, Niki Larson, and Brian French present, and Councilman Crowder joined via Slack. Also in attendance were Jim Hammar, Tammi Fladager, Ben Fosland, PWD Steve Berreth, and Clerk Sonya M. Southland.

Public Comment – Jim Hammar, representing the Daniels County Livestock Association which qualifies for a property tax exemption. This makes them tax-exempt from property taxes but not Special Improvement Districts. Jim stated the stockyard isn’t connected to any city services. Jim thought those SID assessments were too high, especially for the street maintenance for their parcel. SIDs pay for all the street maintenance and lighting for every street and light in town. City Attorney Fosland stated no property owner is exempt from SIDs. SIDs are based on the square footage. SIDs pay for the maintenance of the whole system, not just the street, curb/gutter, or street light in front of the property you are being taxed on. Currently, the SIDs are calculated on square footage. The council could review how SIDs are calculated.

Council read the written correspondence from Jarid Wilson concerning snowpack sidewalks and crosswalks. Most business owners are good at cleaning sid...