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Kalispell council adopts updated water, wastewater and stormwater facility plans
Summary
Council adopted four planning resolutions on July 20: Resolution 63‑33 (water facility plan), 63‑34 (wastewater collection), 63‑35 (advanced wastewater treatment) and 63‑36 (incorporate 2025 stormwater plan into land use plan); votes were unanimous and staff said project funding will be considered in future budget processes.
The Kalispell City Council on July 20 approved a package of planning documents intended to guide capital and operational work on the city's water, wastewater and stormwater systems.
Staff introduced the updates as multi‑year facility plans that supersede prior documents and provide a framework for future projects. Resolution 63‑33 adopts the 2026 Water Facility Plan; resolution 63‑34 adopts the 2026 sanitary sewer collection system facility plan; resolution 63‑35 approves the 2026 advanced wastewater treatment plant facility plan update; and resolution 63‑36 incorporates the 2025 Stormwater Facility Plan into the Kalispell Land Use Plan (Plan 2045).
Councilors asked clarifying questions during discussion: staff said adoption does not itself increase user rates and that a separate rate study on wastewater will be returned to council in the fall; staff also said a solar‑panel payback analysis is included in the plans and will be circulated with more detail on request. Each resolution was moved, seconded and adopted on a roll‑call vote with all present members voting aye.
Votes at a glance:
- Resolution 63‑33, Kalispell 2026 Water Facility Plan — Mover: Councilor Waterman; Second: Councilor Fisher; Outcome: Adopted (unanimous roll call).
- Resolution 63‑34, Kalispell 2026 Sanitary Sewer Collection System Facility Plan — Mover: Councilor Waterman; Second: Councilor Fisher; Outcome: Adopted (unanimous roll call).
- Resolution 63‑35, 2026 Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility Plan — Mover: Councilor Waterman; Second: Councilor Fisher; Outcome: Adopted (unanimous roll call). Staff to supply requested solar payback breakout.
- Resolution 63‑36, Incorporate 2025 Stormwater Facility Plan into Kalispell Land Use Plan (Plan 2045) — Mover: (councilor who introduced motion); Second: Councilor Fisher; Outcome: Adopted (unanimous roll call). Staff described this as an administrative incorporation for planning purposes.
Staff and council emphasized that adoption provides a planning framework; individual projects, funding, and rate changes will require separate approvals and budget actions.
