Uncategorized
Resort tax district enacts fee for paper remittance, considers 2019 legislation
![Avatar photo](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/outlaw-partners-46x46.jpg)
![Avatar photo](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/outlaw-partners-46x46.jpg)
Published
6 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Bay Stephens EBS Staff Writer
BIG SKY – In a Dec. 12 open meeting, the Big Sky Resort Area District tax board agreed to charge a fee for taxes remitted on paper to encourage business to remit online. The board also discussed the possibility of supporting legislation that would give resort communities and districts across the state the option to tax an additional 1 percent with the support of their respective communities.
The Big Sky district will charge a $25 fee for every time a business remits resort taxes on paper instead of digitally. The ultimate goal is for remitters to do so online, saving resort tax staff the time of manually inputting the data and freeing them of liability associated to paper remittance.
The resort tax board discussed participating in the drafting of a bill that would allow resort tax areas and communities to vote on a 1-percent increase in collections for infrastructure—or affordable housing in Big Sky’s case. If passed, individual resort communities would be able to vote to raise their resort tax rate from 3 to 4 percent.
At the Nov. 30 resort tax summit held in Big Sky, West Yellowstone city manager Dan Sabolsky said his resort community had set aside $30,000 to pursue a “Penny for Infrastructure” bill. Virginia City had expressed interest and Gardiner had asked for more information, board chair Kevin Germain said during the Dec. 12 meeting.
This could be the third time the bill will been taken to the Montana legislature, having come just short of the simple majority vote in the Montana Senate required to keep the bill alive for the House to then review in the 2017 legislative session.
The Big Sky Resort Area District spent $36,000 while pursuing the bill alone, Germain said, and estimated that, if various resort communities decided to pursue the legislation again, it would take $50,000 to successfully get the bill through both the House and Senate.
Based on Big Sky’s collections accounting for 43 percent of statewide resort tax collections in 2015, Germain suggested a possible commitment of $25,000 from the BSRAD board if they chose to participate.
BSRAD board vice chair Steve Johnson pointed out that any possible legislation written would have to be viable at two levels: the state level to get the bill through in the first place, and at the local level so that Big Sky voters would support the 1-percent tax increase for affordable housing.
Mike Scholz, the board director, clarified that the importance of the bill’s language should be broad enough that it would applicable to any of the 10 resort tax areas and communities in state. The details of how the additional collections were put to use could be decided by the individual communities.
“This is about a tool in a toolbox,” Scholz said, comparing the extra 1 percent to the ability of unincorporated resort tax districts like Big Sky gaining the right to bond during the 2013 legislature.
“This bill is not a tax,” he continued. “We have all these expenses coming down the road. Our community will have to decide how they want to pay for it.”
As of EBS press time on Dec. 19, the board had not decided whether to participate in the draft bill, “Penny for Infrastructure,” during the 2019 legislative session, which was decided Dec. 21 in a special meeting.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebs_logo_white_220px.png)
![](https://www.explorebigsky.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/ebs_logo_white_220px.png)
Upcoming Events
september, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 24 (Monday) 6:00 pm - September 2 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description
Event Details
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description information. Please wear layers, bring water and snacks. Bear spray recommended.
Time
July 1 (Monday) 9:00 am - September 2 (Monday) 12:00 pm
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
July 1 (Monday) 6:00 pm - September 9 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be
more
Event Details
Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be taught by a variety of teachers from Santosha and BASE. This summer all proceeds will go to Big Sky Band-Aid, aside from the first one on the 26th that is happening during Pride week- all funds donated for that class will go to Big Sky OUT. A delicious lunch will also be served by Gourmet Gals following our practice each Wednesday (included in donation). You are welcome to donate with cash at the event or you can Venmo @Santoshabigsky and make a note for Community Yoga. Hope to see you in the Park!
Time
July 3 (Wednesday) 12:00 pm - September 2 (Monday) 1:00 pm
Location
Len Hill Park