City Council 2023: Michael Mayott - Billings Chamber of Commerce

Why do you want to be a Billings City Council member and what expertise will you bring to City Council that will help you make good policy decisions?

I have been a community leader starting with my professional career and continue to believe we are all required to give back to our community.
My leadership in areas of public safety and community development make me uniquely qualified to serve the citizens of Billings, Montana.

Local government issues sometimes blur conventional party lines. How do you anticipate representing your constituents and basing your policy decisions?

First and foremost a Council member must listen to its constituents to represent them before the council; it is not about party lines.

What are your top three policy priorities and why?

Public Safety – Our community members are not feeling safe in their homes and in the community.
Transparency in local government. The present City Council continues to increase fees for city services and property taxes without fully informing the citizenry.
Promoting alternative income streams so that those who visit Billings contribute to its betterment.

What policy measures would you support to make housing more affordable and why?

Supporting TIF District funding for low-income housing, such as the Jackson Court development.
Permitting the building of smaller homes on smaller lots while maintaining the character and safety of neighborhoods.

What do you know about Billings’s Tax Increment Finance (TIF) districts? How should TIF districts be used to encourage infill development?

I was a member of the South Billings Urban Renewal Association for many years and understand how TIF district financing can improve the quality of life in Billings. Examples of this include the paving of dirt streets in South Billings; supporting economic development within the District through support of public and private ventures.

Public Safety remains the City Council’s number one stated priority. What do you believe Billings should do to improve public safety and why?

The number one deterrent to crime is presence; therefore, the Council must make decisions that will increase the presence of our Police Department within the City. Our citizens do not feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, and the City in general.

City Council voted to send voters a $143 million parks and recreation bond that, if approved, would fund the construction of a Sports & Recreation Center, development of Castle Rock Park, Poly Vista Park, and many other projects. Do you support this initiative? Why or why not?

I have been a supporter of Public parks as the Executive Director of Amend Park Development Council. I know the value to the citizens of Billings when there is public / private cooperation.
I have been a supporter of the South Side Recreation Center since its conception and have worked to resurrected it numerous times as a SUBRS board member. However, the present plan is not transparent, and the timing is wrong as the State has recently issued property value adjustments that raise the average value of a home by 40%. At this time the City, nor the County have clearly stated what the total property tax increase will be in Billings.

The Montana Constitution requires local governments to ask voters whether they wish to review local government’s structure every 10 years; Billings voters will be asked during the 2024 election whether they wish to appoint a study commission to review the Billings City Charter. What changes to the Charter, if any, would you support and why?

I believe it is an important role of the citizenry to review their government charter to ensure its management of the City corresponds with their wishes.

Do you believe that the City of Billings needs a Non-Discrimination Ordinance? Why or why not? If so, are there any specific provisions or exceptions that you would want to see in the ordinance language?

The Untied States and Montana Constitutions provide for protections of all our citizens.

Do you support the current Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID) assessment and its use as supported by the Chamber and Visit Billings? Why or why not? (The Billings lodging industry imposes a fee on each night in an occupied room in Billings. Those fees are used to promote, market and sell the community and are managed by a 7-member board of hoteliers as required by statute. Annually, City Council adopts the budget presented by the TBID board.)

I am in favor of the TBID as it is currently the only vehicle wherein the City is supported by our visitors. We are great hosts to those who visit our wonderful home; yet, they do not provide for the costs associated with providing the services of, nor, the maintaining of the City.