Havre voters may get second chance at streets plan

Havre residents may again be voting on a $30 million, 20 year-plan to renovate the city’s streets.

City Councilwoman Pam Hillery proposed last night that the matter, defeated 918-1,199 in the November elections, be put on the ballot again in 2016.

The proposal will be placed on the City Council agenda for the Dec. 7 meeting. No vote was taken at Monday night’s meeting, but no one spoke against the idea.

Supporters said they were disappointed by the results, but were heartened that so many people voted for such a big tax hike to help solve the city’s infrastructure problems.

After the defeat, some supporters said they favored submitting a modified version on the street-repair program, but Hillery said after Monday’s meeting that no one had come forward with a better plan than the one that was defeated.

She said the streets are in deplorable condition, and they should be fixed as soon as possible.

Councilwoman Terry Lilletvedt agreed.

“We should bring it up again, and we should work harder next year to get it passed,” she said.

Under the proposal, 20 miles of the city’s 62-mile street system would be reconstructed.

The city would hike the mill levy to raise $1.5 million a year for 20 years. The city has provided a priority list of streets that would be repaired, but the list is flexible, city officials said.

Hillery said if council approves the plan she hopes all members will support it when it goes to the public, a reference to council member Andrew Brekke, the only council member who voted against submitting it to the voters last year.

Lilletvedt said as she talked to residents who complained that the mill levy shouldn’t be used to fund the project.

“I can’t tell you how many people have said, ‘You have to find a better way to fund this,’” Lilletvedt said. “What can I say? There is no other way.”

Hillery and Lilletvedt said the state has tied the city’s hands. Local gas taxes and sales taxes are prohibited by the state, she said.

If the council decides to submit it to voters again, members would have to decide whether it will go on the June primary ballot or the November ballot when the president of the United States and governor of Montana will be elected.

If it is approved in June, the 2017 tax bill could be increased and work could begin sooner.

Supporters said they look forward to an early decision by City Council so a lengthy and vigorous campaign can take place.

“I want to vote on this before I leave office,” Hillery said.

She is retiring at the end of this year.