by William Skink
It’s important to not be too curious about the workings of local government. In order to maintain a cheery disposition toward our elected brain trust, don’t scratch at the surface of their actions because you may not like what you find.
For example, remember that little bridge providing access for illegal campers and drug abusers to the West Broadway Island? In February, 2019, it was reported that the Missoula Redevelopment Agency would spend half a million to build this little bridge to nowhere:
The agency has earmarked $500,000 in tax increment financing for the project.
Chris Behan, the agency’s assistant director, says work on the project might wrap up by the end of May.
When the bridge finally opened in October of last year (not May), the reported cost had ballooned $300,000:
A press release says the $800,000 project took shape when the city took ownership of the island in 2013, and it was funded by tax increment financing in Urban Renewal District II. Landowners Joe and Dorothy Hacker donated a portion of land for the project.
Somehow, between February of 2019 and October, the cost of this project shot up $300,000. Why? And why is it a blogger asking this question and not a curious reporter dedicated to informing the public about what is being done with their limited public resources?
Another story where curiosity could be problematic is Missoula’s Poplar plantation.
Seven years ago Missoula spent over a million dollars to expand its Poplar pilot program. The main purpose of the Poplars was to divert some treated wastewater from entering the Clark Fork, but we were told back then that the trees would grow, then be sold, making much of the money back:
The project will cost an estimated $1.375 million total, and the money will come out of sewer funds, said plant superintendent Starr Sullivan. The cost may seem high, he said, but it’s 10 to 20 times cheaper than installing more equipment to meet tightening environmental standards for the levels of compounds going into the river.
“I think in the future, we’re going to see stricter and stricter requirements,” Sullivan said.
If the project goes as planned, the harvest will take place in 2027, and will yield some $2 million, according to estimates from city officials.
Guess what? Because of market forces, this project is not going as planned. Instead of turning the trees into lumber, our braintrust is just going to compost them:
“Since the market changes, we can’t use it much for board – there’s not much of a call to use it for regular lumber and that,” said Bowman. “With the approximately 80,000 trees that are out there, in the future we’ll need that for the compost facility. We’re not going to go in there and cut everything down, because that would ruin the appearance.”
Bowman said current plans will remove 80 popular trees that are ready to topple. The cost of their removal will serve as a benchmark for a future harvesting plan.
“My goal is to look at the cost of taking 100 trees out, or 500 trees out, and do it strategically throughout the plan,” Bowman said. “We have to look at this not only for this year or next, but five years from now and 10 years.”
Isn’t this fantastic perception management? Isn’t our local media wonderful? Missoula went from having Poplars to sell as a product, to Poplars that need to be removed, which will be a “cost”. Are you curious how much cost? Don’t you know curiosity killed the cat?
In my poem yesterday I mentioned that butterflies in Missoula will be getting a nice, new home. Here is the reporting on Missoula County signing the agreement for this very important project to house needy insects in our fair community:
Under Tuesday’s agreement, the Butterfly House must raise funds for the cost of construction related to the Rocky Mountain Gardens and Exploration Center. A timeline hasn’t been set and no cost estimate was provided in the agreement.
Those behind the project believe it will serve as a unique educational attraction when it opens.
It’s probably a good thing no cost estimate was provided because whatever the estimate, the actual cost will always be higher.
Like the cost for the art park, which went from $250,000 to nearly a million. Or the cost of the library, which MRA dutifully threw more money at. Or the cost of buying a water company.
Are all these numbers making your head spin? That is why it is important to maintain a lack of curiosity about what the people you elect are doing with your money, because if you don’t you might not like what you find out.