Commission redesignates TIF board under new state law, appoints county and school reps

The Lewistown City Commission on Nov. 17 approved Resolution No. 4213 to redesignate the Lewistown Tax Increment Financing Board as the Lewistown Tax Increment Finance Advisory Committee to comply with changes in SB3 (2025).

City Manager Holly Phelps told commissioners the 2025 legislature amended TIF rules to specifically allow and require representation from the county and school districts within a tax increment district. "The change is to allow a representative from the School and County that the district is located in," Phelps said, explaining the shift recognizes that county and school tax dollars are included in tax increment revenues.

City Attorney Tyler West described the resolution as an update to align with state law. "This resolution is updating our board to match the state law," West said. The commission voted on a motion by Commissioner Spika and a second by Commissioner Hrubes; the roll-call vote was unanimous.

The commission then approved two appointments to fill the new slots: Megan Bartel as the Fergus County representative and Carson Sweeney as the School District #1 representative. Phelps said Bartel, a former TIF board member who recently moved outside city limits, was approved by Fergus County and the TIF board to serve as the county representative. She said Sweeney, a School District #1 board member who has been attending TIF meetings, was nominated for the school position. Both appointments carried on unanimous roll-call votes.

Why it matters: The redesignation and new appointments give county and school officials a formal voice in decisions about TIF districts that divert those taxing jurisdictions' future revenue streams. The city says the change is procedural to conform local practice to state statutes enacted in 2025.