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MATL; a winner for taxpayers |
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Thursday, 13 November 2008 |
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Page 1 of 2 By LeAnne Kavanagh, Cut Bank Pioneer Press
Pondera County Commissioner Cyndi Johnson recalls vividly when officials from Montana Alberta Tie Ltd. first approached them four years ago. “The county commissioners insisted the bottom line was MATL must work hard to satisfy the concerns of our local land owners and ag producers.” Today, Johnson and her fellow commissioners, Sandra Broesder and Joe Christiaens, believe “MATL has done that to the best of their ability.”
Even though the MATL transmission line will not be located within his county, Toole County Commissioner Allen Underdal believes the line will allow for “subsequent expanded wind farm development,” which in turn will lighten the tax burden of the county’s taxpayers. Without it, “taxpayers will continue to shoulder the cost of schools and state and local government in Toole County.”
The Glacier County Commissioners believe construction of the line will “allow the county to maintain its current tax level and not increase property taxes.” That’s good news for all taxpayers. County Commissioner Ron Rides At The Door also believes the line “will also potentially bring additional wind energy projects to the area.”
And that’s even better news for taxpayers, business owners and school administrators faced with declining enrollments, but more federal mandates and less money to meet them.
Tim Tharp, who is the Superintendent of Schools and high school principal for Dutton/Brady, believes “MATL is the necessary first step toward wind energy development in the region.” Tharp contends that by expanding the tax base, all property owners will benefit. “As I have told many legislators, we can’t rely on the State of Montana and local property taxpayers to cover the growing bills. We need to find ways to grow the pie so that everyone can benefit.”
Bob Williams, Vice President Regulatory for MATL, estimates the overall tax revenue for local governments along the approved route is estimated at $731,525 annually. Of that:
• Pondera County will be the biggest benefactor with an estimated $259,742 in added tax revenue.
• Glacier County will receive an added $236,698 in annual tax benefits.
• Teton County’s tax revenue increase is estimated at $136,857.
• Cascade County is projected to receive an added $98,227 in taxes annually.
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