Anaconda-Deer Lodge County URA TIF Board approves grants totaling about $115,508, rescinds $75,000 out-of-district award

The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Urban Renewal Agency (URA) TIF Board on June 26 approved a package of grant awards, adopted edits to its grant rules and agreements, and rescinded one out-of-district award after review of the district boundary.

Administrator Toni Hofland told the board that “as of June 9, 2026 the net balance is -$57,370.34” but that a tax transfer of $513,649.79 had been completed and will be included on the next financial report. The board accepted the financial report by a 4-0 vote.

The board approved the following actions and awards: Hometown La Michoacana — $7,000 for electrical upgrades and $1,150 for door locks/security; Georgetown Lake Holdings (Paumie’s Porkies) — up to $20,000 toward roof replacement; Levin LLC (Torgerson Brothers Building) — up to $68,500 for a feasibility study; Jordi’s Cantina — up to $20,000 for façade and outdoor-area improvements. The board recorded cumulative approvals of roughly $115,508 across the applications considered.

Applicants described project-specific needs during the meeting. Robby Gunderson, seeking an extension for the Goosetown Athletic Center, said “the sewer line is the main hold up” and outlined options to reroute or extend the line; the board approved an extension through Dec. 31, 2026. Owners of Georgetown Lake Holdings presented multiple contractor bids for the roof (estimates ranged from $30,000 for a half replacement to $70,000 for a full replacement, and one bid of about $49,000) and said they had additional financing lined up; the board approved up to $20,000 to move the project forward.

The board also moved to rescind a previously approved award for a property at 300 W. Commercial after a County Attorney opinion found the property outside the URA/TIF district. Kristy McKay moved to rescind the $75,000 award and the motion carried 4-0. Administrator Toni Hofland said she will send the rescission letter and notify affected applicants, including Smelter City Senior Citizens Center, where applicable.

Board members voted to accept Administrator-proposed edits to the Grant Guidelines and two edits to the Grant Agreement intended to reduce future compliance risk. Members discussed consistency between bylaws and the Grant Guidelines and asked staff to reconcile discrepancies; Toni Hofland agreed to update both documents and return them for board review.

On Jordi’s Cantina, the motion to approve funding carried 3-1, with board member Rose Nyman opposed because she said the proposed exterior changes do not fit the Goosetown historic district. The meeting record shows the board handled each application individually rather than bundling votes.

Board members also discussed public-notice procedures after the closure of the local newspaper, noting use of courthouse, library and public-health postings and the county website; County Attorney guidance on MCA public-notice language was cited as the fallback approach.

The board set follow-up tasks for staff, including sending rescission notices, verifying property-tax and business-license status before disbursement, updating bylaws and guidelines, and confirming the funding lockdown date with the county CFO. Rose Nyman and others discussed scheduling a September meeting for bylaw/guideline updates and a January round for the next application cycle. The board adjourned following a 4-0 motion.

Next steps: staff will circulate updated bylaws/guidelines, send required notices related to the rescinded award, and include the completed tax transfer on the next financial report.