HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. R23-22RESOLUTION NO. R23-22
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO SUBMIT THE QUESTION TO THE
ELECTORATE AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO IMPOSE A NEW MILL LEVY FOR
THE CITY OF LAUREL EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES OF A NEW 50.06
MILLS TO FUND EMS SERVICES, INCLUDING STAFFING, VOLUNTEER
COMPENSATION, TRAINING, AND ANCILLARY OPERATIONS
WHEREAS, the City may impose a property tax levy for any public or governmental
purpose not specifically prohibited by law;
WHEREAS, the City is a public body and is authorized pursuant to Mont. Code Ann. §
15-10-425, as amended, to impose a new mill levy or exceed the mill levy limit provided for in
Mont. Code Ann. § 15-10-420, by conducting an election authorizing such new mill levy for
purposes determined by the City and the electors of the City approving any new levy;
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined additional EMS Services, including
specifically related to staffing, volunteer compensation, training, and ancillary operational costs
are needed for the residents of the City;
WHEREAS, the City has decided to pass a Resolution pursuant to, in part, Mont. Code
Ann. § 15-10-425 to submit the question of a new mill levy to the qualified electors of the City
of Laurel;
WHEREAS, the City has determined that there is a need for a permanent levy increase
of 50.06 mills (hereinafter "the EMS Supplemental Levy") to increase funding for EMS
Services, to be adjusted annually subject to the limits established in Mont. Code Ann. § 15-10-
420(1)(a), for inflationary and new growth allowed in subsequent years; and
WHEREAS, Mont. Code Ann. §§ 15-10-420 and -425 authorize the City to request of
the voters in the City limits, as amended, an increase in mill levies over and above current
limitations;
WHEREAS, the new and separate mill levy will be for a total of 50.06 mills, which has
a current approximate value of Four Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($450,000),
and the duration shall be perpetual;
WHEREAS, the annual supplemental EMS levy will be used to pay the ongoing and
permanent costs associated with delivering additional EMS services (currently anticipated to
be used for the hiring of approximately three (3) to four (4) additional EMS providers, the
increase of wages for EMS providers, additional, fair, and equitable compensation for EMS
Volunteer Personnel, and helping to fund a portion of the costs of training and operational needs
of the EMS Department; and
R23-22 Approving an Election on Supplemental Funding for EMS Services
WHEREAS, the new mill levy level being requested will have an anticipated impact
upon property taxes for homes valued as follows: 1) for a home valued for property tax
purposes at One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000), the additional property taxes that will
be imposed are Five Dollars and Sixty Three Cents ($5.63) per month; and 2) for a home valued
for property tax purposes at Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000), the additional
property taxes that will be imposed are Eleven Dollars and Twenty -Five Cents ($11.25) per
month, adjusted as permissible by law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel,
Montana, as follows:
1. Calling of the Election. The City Council hereby calls and directs a mill levy
election for the EMS Supplemental Levy to be held on November 7, 2023 for the purpose of
voting on the following question: "Shall the City of Laurel, Montana, be authorized to
permanently raise approximately 50.06 mills or approximately $450,000 annually for the
purpose of funding additional EMS services, increasing compensation for EMS Personnel,
including Volunteer EMS Personnel, as well as to fund training and operational expenses for
the City of Laurel EMS Department?". The permanent 50.06 mills will be adjusted annually,
subject to the provisions of Mont. Code Ann. § 15-10-420(1)(a), after the first year, allowing
for inflationary growth and newly taxable growth. The impact of the EMS Supplemental Levy
on a residential home valued at $100,000 is $5.63 per month for the first year, and on a
residential home valued at $200,000, it is $11.25 per month for the first year.
2. Authorization of Election and Ballot. The City Council hereby requests the
Election Administrator to place the issue of whether the City shall be authorized to impose a
new mill levy to cover the costs incurred in providing EMS Services as set forth above during
the election held on November 7, 2023, to the electors of the City of Laurel.
3. Form of Ballot. The Election Administrator is hereby authorized to prepare the
ballot to be submitted to the electors in substantially the following form:
OFFICIAL BALLOT
CITY OF LAUREL EMERGENCY SERVICES MILL LEVY ELECTION
Shall the City Council of the City of Laurel, Montana be authorized to impose
a new mill levy of 50.06 mills annually to fund emergency services, including
hiring an anticipated 2-3 additional EMS providers, increasing wages for
existing EMS providers, paying EMS Volunteers additional compensation for
their hours of service, and funding training and ancillary operational costs. The
foregoing mill levy is permanent and in addition to any other mill levy
authorized by Charter or law.
The impact of the election on a home valued for property tax purposes at
$100,000 in terms of actual dollars in additional property taxes that would be
R23-22 Approving an Election on Supplemental Funding for EMS Services
imposed annually is $5.63 per month, and for a home valued at $200,000 per
month is $11.25 per month, adjusted as permissible by law, if the mill levy were
to pass.
YES -- FOR AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF LAUREL TO
EXCEED THE STATUTORY MILL LEVY PROVIDED FOR IN MONT.
CODE ANN. § 15-10-420 BY PERMANENTLY AND ANNUALLY
LEVYING UP TO 50.06 MILLS (APPROXIMATE CURRENT VALUE OF
$450,000 FOR CITY OF LAUREL EMERGENCY SERVICES) FOR THE
PURPOSES OF INCREASING EMS STAFFING, INCREASING WAGES
FOR EMS PERSONNEL, INCLUDING VOLUNTEER EMS PROVIDERS,
AND FUNDING TRAINING AND ANCILLARY OPERATIONAL COSTS
IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS
NO — AGAINST AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF LAUREL TO
EXCEED THE STATUTORY MILL LEVY PROVIDED FOR IN MONT.
CODE ANN. § 15-10-420 BY PERMANENTLY AND ANNUALLY
LEVYING UP TO 50.06 MILLS (APPROXIMATE CURRENT VALUE OF
$450,000 FOR CITY OF LAUREL EMERGENCY SERVICES) FOR THE
PURPOSES OF INCREASING EMS STAFFING, INCREASING WAGES
FOR EMS PERSONNEL, INCLUDING VOLUNTEER EMS PROVIDERS,
AND FUNDING TRAINING AND ANCILLARY OPERATIONAL COSTS
IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS
Introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 11`x' day of April, 2023, by
Council Member Sparks.
PASSED and APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Laurel the 116' day of
April, 2023.
APPROVED by the Mayor the l 11h day of April, 2023.
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Dave Waggoner, a or
R23-22 Approving an Election on Supplemental Funding for EMS Services
ATTEST:
tr
et, Clerk -Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Michele L. Braukmann, Civil City Attorney
R23-22 Approving an Election on Supplemental Funding for EMS Services