City Council 2023: Roy Neese - 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?

My desire is to help shape the future of Billings and ensure the government serves the people. I have five years of experience on city council and many years prior to that I’ve participated as member of the Heights Task Force, serving two years as chair. I’ve established good working relationships with both members of the community and the city staff enabling me to bring issues for consideration and help find solutions.

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

During my term on council, party lines have not been a part of the decision-making process. As Council Member, Deputy Mayor Pro Tempore, and Legislative Chair, I have, and will continue to, work with all people regardless of party and make decisions for the betterment of Billings.

What are your top three policy priorities and why?

Public Safety – for the safety of the public to live, work and play in a safe environment.

Safe routes to school – to ensure our children and their parents have a safe and worry-free zone that can be trusted to not put the children in Billings in harm’s way.

Cost effective and efficient government – that will limit the tax burden on low income and seniors with fixed income.

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

I support measures to streamline government housing regulations. I also support the similar efforts the state legislators are working on. These can help lower the costs and delays for developers, which in turn can provide more housing faster and at a lower cost. Additional options include using state and federal incentive programs and working with other housing agencies to support their efforts.

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

I have worked with and understand the divers of TIF districts in Billings. Infill is also one of Billings development goals. Infill can be one of the best ways to remove blight and increase the tax base of the district. Awards for infill should meet the TIF’s master plan and city TIF policy and help to remove blight and spur on additional development in the infill area.

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

Since I have been on council, the city has been successful in increasing the public safety funding that eroded over time. We commissioned a Public Safety study that helped lower the needed funds by increasing the efficacy of the Police, Fire and 911 services of Billings. This has helped bring crime done over the last several years. I believe we need to implement the recent proposals that Council approved in the budget. These measures are intended to address several aspects of crime through prevention, treatment, diversion and correction. As the Chair of the Legislative Committee, I have held round table meetings with state legislators to address this issue in Billings and will continue to work with them to develop solutions to reduce the crime in Billings.

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 support the initiative going to the people of Billings to vote on it. I will support the education efforts of this bond as I believe it is important that the residents know what they are voting on.

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?

The Billings City Charter has served the people well for many years with only minor changes. While I think a few additional minor changes could be made such as consolidation of the mills assessed and modifications to the ward makeup, I’m open to hearing what a study commission would have to say if one were to be appointed.

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?

Billings is a welcoming place for all people. This is evident in our city government and across many aspects of Billings. This question has been addressed by prior city councils correctly.

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’ve supported the TBID for many years and believe they have an important role in shaping the image of Billings around the world.