M&Ms
That’s municipalities, MAM (Missoula Art Museum) and money. Here’s a couple things from recent conversations with the city finance director, Brentt Ramharter, and Mayor John Engen. (A story is coming soon to a newspaper and Web site near you.)
1. A bond measure for a new cop shop may head to the Nov. 2009 ballot. More in the story.
2. Municipalities are having some trouble in the bond market — this from another story. However, Ramharter said the type of bond that would fund a police station is still a good bet. It’s voter-approved general obligation debt — which he said is still getting bought up. Also, Ramharter forwarded this letter from the city’s financial advisors.
3. On another note, Ramharter said some people have wondered whether the city cut support for MAM. It did not. The Missoula City Council made a decision that means MAM has to ask every year for city support for janitorial services. This year, it got that support. But people like Ward 3 Councilwoman Stacy Rye point out the support may not last from year to year. This year the cleaning cost amounts to $22,ooo, which the MAM director characterized as “significant.”
– Keila Szpaller
