Letter to the Editor: Austin's annexation attitude ironic

Dear Editor,

I find it somewhat ironic that Kyle Austin calls the City of Havre greedy when he wants to start a business with city water and sewer but does not want to pay city taxes. Who might be the greedy one here? Perhaps he does not realize that Montana statutes allow for the city to annex businesses that are receiving city services. All the property owners receiving city water and sewer within the city limits pay city taxes. Is it really right that your neighbor across the street is receiving city water and sewer and is in the county and doesn’t pay city taxes but you do?

Kyle Austin states that the City of Havre will have to increase taxes to maintain this large area proposed for annexation. Where does he get this? The city taxpayers are not going to pay additional taxes to maintain this area. To maintain these roads, the city will need to assess those property owners for street maintenance but they will no longer be paying county road taxes. The Fire Department already has a contract to cover the area proposed to be annexed. There will be no additional taxes for city taxpayers! Also, if they are in the city limits, they can receive city garbage disposal service. I am sure the city’s garbage rates are significantly less than the rates they currently pay.

Mr. Austin asserts the city is destroying the economy. Now that is really a good one. Would Kmart and Walmart have been really eager to come to Havre if they needed to dig a well and put in a septic tank? How about AmericInn on well water? I suggest he talk with Mayor Bonderud of Shelby regarding how annexation affected Shelby’s economy. Shelby’s city limits are approximately 5 miles east and west on Highway 2 and 9 miles north and south along Interstate 15. CCA, the owner of the prison, pays $449,271 in property taxes with $148,303 going directly to the City of Shelby. By the way, this is the same prison that a small group of disgruntled Havre citizens didn’t want.

The root of the problem is that for years the city has extended water and sewer services without requiring properties to come into the city or sign a petition requesting to come into the city. I believe businesses would be eager to come into the city if that was the only way they could get city services. However, it appears that once they receive city services, they prefer to stay in the county and not pay city taxes.

Lowell Swenson

Havre