BID Renewal

Update:  On Monday, December 16, 2019, the City Council conducted the public hearing.  At the conclusion of the hearing they returned the proposal to the Administration & Finance Committee to discuss it further.  A time hasn't been scheduled for committee to meet and consider the proposal yet.   

On November 18, 2019,  the City Council adopted Resolution of intent 8398 to extend the duration of the Downtown Business Improvement District for ten years and scheduled a public hearing on December 16, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 140 W. Pine Street.

About the BID

The Montana State Legislature has enabled the created of business improvement districts in Montana through state law (Title 7, Chapter 12, Part 11) to   

(1) serve a public use;

(2) promote the health, safety, prosperity, security, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the district and of the people of this state;

(3) be of special benefit to the property within the boundaries of any district created pursuant to the provisions of this part; or

(4) aid in tourism, promotion, and marketing within the district.

Missoula's Downtown BID was formed in 2005 for a period of 5 years.  It was renewed in 2010 for another 10 years.   Every 10 years, BIDs must either be renewed or they expire.  

Missoula's BID is governed by a 7 member board of trustees who are property owners in the district.   Board meetings are public meetings. The board has designated representatives from the following:

  • Representative of Zone 1
  • Representative of Zone 2
  • Representative of Property south of the Clark Fork River
  • Large Property Representative (greater than 20,000 square feet)
  • Small Property Representative (less than 20,000 square feet)
  • Representative from the City of Missoula
  • One additional Representative

BID Renewal Petition

The City received a petition to renew the Downtown Business Improvement District that was signed by over 60% of the area of the Downtown Business Improvement District.  The petitioners have proposed to renew the Business Improvement District for an additional ten years.  This petition is required by state law to start the process to consider renewal of the Business Improvement District.   

Public Hearing

In accordance with state law, the City Council has scheduled a public hearing on this proposal, and the City has published and mailed notice of the public hearing on December 16, 2019 at 7 p.m. to property owners in the district.  The public hearing will be held in the City Council Chambers at 140 W. Pine Street.  

Everyone is invited to attend the public hearing to comment on the proposal.

Protest

The City Council cannot take any further action on the proposed district for one year if a written protest against the district’s renewal and expansion is filed by:

  1. Owners of property within the proposed district having a taxable valuation, when aggregated, representing not less than 50% of the total taxable valuation of property within the district;
  2. Not less than 50% of the owners of property within the district; or
  3. Owners of property within the proposed district having projected assessments, when aggregated, representing not less than 50% of the total projected assessments for property within the district.

How to Protest

To protest, a property owner or the legally authorized representative of the property owner must file a written protest with the City Clerk, 435 Ryman St, Missoula, MT 59802 no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2019.  

Protests must:

  1. Be in writing 
  2. Include the property owner's name and address and/or legal description of the property 
  3. Be signed and include a statement of the signatory’s qualifications to sign a protest on behalf of the owner or property (i.e. John Smith, President and authorized agent to sign for ABC Holdings, LLC), and
  4. Identify the action being protested.
  5. Protests may transmitted via e-mail, but they must meet the requirements above.