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Item 1.J.
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| City Council Regular | |
| Date: | 12/09/2024 |
| Title: | Beartooth RC&D Memorandum of Understanding |
| Presented by: | Chris Kukulski, City Administrator |
| Department: | City Hall Administration |
| Presentation: | No |
| Legal Review: | Yes |
| Project Number: | N/A |
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the MOU with Beartooth RC&D for 2025.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The Beartooth Resource Conservation and Development Area, Inc. (Beartooth RC&D) is asking the City Council to renew a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Beartooth's economic development services through December 31, 2025. Beartooth RC&D is a State and Federally grant-funded, rural and economic development agency that has operated since 1969 in five south-central Montana counties, including Yellowstone County. State and Federal funds are matched in Yellowstone County by a $4,500 membership fee, plus a per capita assessment of .19 cents per person, ($32,460.17) totaling $36,960.17, which is split among the County, the Big Sky Economic Development, and the cities of Billings and Laurel. The City of Billings' portion of that amount is $13,305.66 or 36%. Those paying membership fees are represented on the Beartooth Board of Directors; the current Billings representative is Council member Bill Kennedy.
In their enclosed letter, Beartooth RC&D has provided the partners with an updated fee structure of .26 cents per capita for 2026. The 2025 fee will remain at .19 cents/capita.
Also see the attached 2024 projects list.
In their enclosed letter, Beartooth RC&D has provided the partners with an updated fee structure of .26 cents per capita for 2026. The 2025 fee will remain at .19 cents/capita.
Also see the attached 2024 projects list.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may consider approval, postponement of action or disapproval of MOU and payment.
FISCAL EFFECTS
The Entity’s annual contribution will be $4,500.00 as a “Membership” fee plus a per capita assessment of .19 cents per person. These funds will provide the necessary match to obtain the $70,000.00 in federal funds. Entities who do not participate financially in the match requirement will not receive services from the Economic Development Coordinator. The calculated fee for the Entity is $36,960.17. This figure is a total of the $4,500.00 fee plus $32,460.17 per capita formula using a population of 170,843 x (.19) as per the 2023 Census data. The Entity’s full payment will be separated into a four-way payment system. Each entity within the county will pay a percentage (%) similar to the previous year. Big Sky EDA- 34% or $12,566.46, City of Billings- 36% or $13,305.66, City of Laurel- 6% or $2,217.61 and Yellowstone County- 24% or $8,870.44.