Columbia Falls approves state short-term investment participation and updates street maintenance assessments

The Columbia Falls City Council voted unanimously to approve two annual resolutions: one authorizing the city's participation in the Montana Board of Investments Short Term Investment Pool and another redefining assessments for the Columbia Falls Street Maintenance District.

City Manager explained the Short Term Investment Pool provides a liquidity option for municipal funds and that Resolution 19-53 designates the city's account authority and signatory arrangements for the pooled account. The motion to adopt Resolution 19-53 passed on a roll call vote with Councilors Levering, Piper, Price, Shepherd, King and Mayor Barnhart recorded as voting "aye."

Resolution 19-54 adjusts annual street assessments for non-single-family lots greater than one-half acre. Under the change described by the City Manager, lots larger than a half-acre pay the full street assessment for the first half-acre and 50% of assessment for acreage beyond the first half-acre; the resolution also acknowledges specific addresses that meet reduced assessment criteria. Council approved Resolution 19-54 on a roll call vote with Piper, Price, Shepherd, King, Levering and Mayor Barnhart voting "aye."

Both measures were presented as routine, annual items associated with the city's budget and finance procedures. No council member raised questions during either discussion.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution 19-53 (Participation in Montana Board of Investments Short Term Investment Pool): Approved; roll call: Levering (Aye), Piper (Aye), Price (Aye), Shepherd (Aye), King (Aye), Mayor Barnhart (Aye). - Resolution 19-54 (Redefine Columbia Falls Street Maintenance District & method of assessment): Approved; roll call: Piper (Aye), Price (Aye), Shepherd (Aye), King (Aye), Levering (Aye), Mayor Barnhart (Aye).

The council recorded these as unanimous approvals; no staff requested follow-up reports for either resolution.