Little-Known Important Information For Great Falls Park District Voters

Did you know that if you own property in Great Falls but live outside the city limits you can still vote either for or against the new consolidated Park District 1 tax increase?

I didn’t know that very significant piece of information and I’ve been a voter here for decades. Someone asked me about it on Monday so I called Cascade County Clerk & Recorder Rina Moore and she confirmed to me that, yes indeed, it is a fact.

She also told me that they posted the following information on the Cascade County Elections Department website just today, Monday, April 30. Ballots went out a week ago.

“If you are a property owner within the City of Great Falls you are entitled to vote in the current election for the City of Great Falls Park District #1.  You must go to the elections office with a copy of your property taxes in order to receive a ballot.  We are located at 325 2^nd Ave N, Monday-Friday 7am-5pm and on election day Tuesday May 8^th, we will be located at the Exhibition Hall 400 3^rd St NW from 7am-8pm.”

Moore also told me that the elections office posted the information in the Great Falls Tribune three times. Did anyone see it? Usually those “public notices” are buried somewhere deep in the paper and you have to have a microscope to read them. So it doesn’t surprise me that some folks were totally unaware of this option.

“I think our public officials need to do a better job with press releases, social media and more timely notices on their websites to make the public aware of this kind of important voter information.”

I think our public officials need to do a better job with press releases, social media and more timely notices on their websites to make the public aware of this kind of important voter information. In the absence of a more robust attempt to “get the word out”, some people could come to the conclusion that there are those who prefer the public to remain in the dark on issues like this.

Anyway, I encourage everyone to spread the word about this little-known option for Great Falls property owners who live outside the city limits.

• Category: Great Falls, Park And Rec

Posted by Rick Tryon

Rick Tryon is an entrepreneur, a singer-songwriter, and is currently serving a four year term as a Great Falls City Commissioner. Helping Montana become an even greater place to live, play and work is Tryon's passion.

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