The City Council renewed the Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) in May 2017.  The creation resolution had a delayed effective date of October 1, 2017 because the current district expires on September 30.  The next step in renewing the district is to create the TBID governing board.  The attached resolution conforms with State law by naming the individual trustees, determining their terms of office and designating the initial board chair.  City staff solicited applications for the Board, the Mayor reviewed the applications and is recommending the Board of Trustees as identified in the attached resolution.   

City Council may:

• Approve the resolution creating the TBID Board of Trustees and naming its members; or,
• Modify and approve the resolution; or,
• Not approve the resolution.  The TBID cannot operate without a board of trustees.

There is no financial impact from adopting the resolution and creating the TBID Board of Trustees.  The City acts as a conduit for the TBID assessments by collecting the fees through the County Treasurer tax statements and disbursing the funds to the TBID.  The FY 2018 TBID budget is $1,735,000.  The Council annually approves the TBID work plan and budget. 

The City of Billings and the Billings Area Chamber of Commerce petitioned the 2007 Montana Legislature to expand the Business Improvement District (BID) statutes to allow districts focused on promoting tourism and travel in Montana.  The Billings Council created the state's first Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) in 2007.  All BIDs have a 10 year time limit but may be renewed in the same way as the original district.  Earlier this year, the TBID staff submitted the required property owner petition and the Council acted upon it by renewing the district in May.  The current district sunsets on September 30, so the creation resolution had a delayed effective date of October 1, 2017.  The TBID and City staff decided to delay soliciting applications and creating the new board until shortly before the new district begins operation.  BID boards must have 5-7 trustees.  The City and State Codes direct the Mayor to appoint the board members, with Council consent.  The State law requires that the trustees have staggered initial terms and that the Mayor must appoint the initial board presiding officer.