Brad Headshot

A Message To Our Community

"Big Sky's Future is on the Ballot – Your Vote Matters," a crucial message from our Director, Brad Niva. Learn how the upcoming initiatives will impact the Big Sky community and how together we can build a livable Big Sky.

Dear Business Community,

We are all too familiar with the strain of running a business when many of our employees cannot afford or secure local housing. We have heard countless stories from our workforce as they've lost housing and watched as many of our community members have sadly left town. This spring, the registered voters of Big Sky have the important task of stepping up to vote on key initiatives facing our community. Focused on essential services, workforce housing, and community development, these initiatives are designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities in Big Sky, ensuring our continued success and prosperity.  

 

Your voice matters to our community.  We understand that these decisions cannot be made lightly and want all voters to understand what will come on the upcoming mail-in ballot. 

 

What’s on the Ballot? 
 

✅ Approve the Renewal of Resort Tax for 30 Years: The Big Sky Resort Tax District is a model of success, widely recognized across Montana. Renewing this critical funding mechanism ensures continued investment in community priorities without raising property taxes. Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10K1P3xWjvM 

 

A VOTE FOR means: Secures funding source for essential community services through 2065, and opens up long-term financing 

A VOTE AGAINST means: Jeopardizes future resort tax funding of our community and restricts large scale projects 

 

 

✅ Approve a Bond for Workforce Housing: Support the purchase of the 99-acre Cold Smoke property, paving the way for 389 workforce housing units. This bond allows Resort Tax to finance the project using future tax collections—at no additional cost to property owners. Video here: https://bigskyhousingtrust.org/cold-smoke/ 

 

A VOTE FOR means: Funds used from Resort Tax will support 389 new homes for local workforce and families 

A VOTE AGAINST means: New Cold Smoke neighborhood fails, and Big Sky Housing Trust will lose the opportunity to develop significant housing to meet the needs of the community.  

 

 

✅ Approve a Bond for Big Sky Community Park: Help modernize the Big Sky Community Park, enhancing recreational spaces for all. This bond is also fully funded by Resort Tax, with no impact on property taxes. Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPyunFmarEk 

 

A VOTE FOR means: Modernize our community park to meet the needs of our growing community and reserve funding for essential amenities like paved parking and upgraded bathrooms. 

A VOTE AGAINST means: Risks the completion of the Community Park Modernization plans and threatens the livability and year-round sustainability of our community.  

 

 

These initiatives represent a crucial investment in Big Sky’s future. The Chamber team is available to answer any questions, and we encourage you to attend public meetings to learn more. 

📍 For full details, visit: https://resorttax.org/livablebigsky/ 

Your vote will help shape the future of Big Sky. Let’s move forward together.