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Lake County Leader
City Commission establishes fee waiver for seasonal nonprofits' water and sewer minimum charges
The Polson City Commission approved the first reading of an ordinance establishing a fee waiver for seasonal nonprofits’ water and sewer minimum monthly charges during off-season disconnect. According to the agenda item summary, local nonprofits with seasonal operations have asked to establish this waiver. These nonprofits close during the off-season and operate with limited financial resources. City Attorney Dave Michie, who presented the ordinance to the commission, said that seasonal nonprofits struggle during the winter months. Currently, a base rate or a monthly minimum fee accrues after owners shut off their municipal water and sewer utilities. This ordinance would remove that base rate during the off-season for nonprofits that do not shut off utilities for more than five months. Michie said that the city wants to look out for everyone and recognizes that nonprofits exist in the community. Claire Swenson, president of the Polson Flathead Lake Museum, spoke during public comment and said her museum has seen a decline in visitors since COVID-19, meaning it is also seeing a decline in donations. She added that they don’t have much excess money, so this ordinance removing that fee would be “wonderful” for them. The second reading of this ordinance will be
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