Numerous court filings in Missoula’s effort to gain ownership of water system
“The city of Missoula’s efforts to use eminent domain to gain ownership of the water supply and distribution system that serves its residents has seen several court filings in recent days. The city filed a…
Water Employees File Motion Intervening City’s Eminent Domain Case
“One more challenge is added to the city’s battle to acquire Mountain Water Company. 38 Mountain Water employees filed a motion on Wednesday, intervening in the City of Missoula’s efforts to condemn Missoula’s water through…
Mountain Water for sale; Missoula interested in buying
“Missoula’s Mountain Water system is up for sale, the latest wrinkle in the on-going drama over the future of one of the city’s key utilities. The news caught city leaders by surprise. But they’re still…
Mayor: Equity firm reneged on promise
“Missoula has amended an eminent domain filing as it seeks to own the water system that serves city residents. A complaint filed Monday says Carlyle Infrastructure asked for the city’s support for its 2011 purchase…
Attorney says city responsible for $900K a year in Mountain Water taxes
“Mayor John Engen’s bid to condemn Mountain Water Co. will cost the city of Missoula an estimated $900,000 a year in property taxes while the eminent domain case is in litigation in Missoula County District…
Montana farmers, ranchers continue fight against pipeline
“In spring 2009, representatives from TransCanada started visiting Darrell Garoutte on his cattle ranch in McCone County, Montana. The Canadian corporation wanted to build the Keystone XL pipeline across his land and its representatives did…
City’s new tax district OK should mean millions of dollars for local development
“State regulators have approved Butte’s request for a new tax-increment financing district for Uptown and adjacent neighborhoods, a move that should eventually steer tens of millions of tax dollars into area development. The Montana Department…
Lawyer: Cost of Mountain Water Co. acquisition hinges on fair value for utility
“Missoula Mayor John Engen wants to acquire Mountain Water Co., even if it means a takeover by eminent domain. But whether the city can win the potential legal battles appears to depend on whether it’s…
Pitchfork Ranch, The Nature Conservancy sued for access
“A Texas company is suing the historic Pitchfork Ranch under the state’s eminent domain law to gain access to oil and gas leases 17 miles west of Meeteetse. Principle Petroleum Partners of Texas is seeking…
Eminent domain law will serve Montana well
“During this year’s legislative session, lawmakers and Gov. Steve Bullock put the interests of landowners ahead of the corporations that condemn property for private, for-profit purposes when they passed HB 417, a bill that helps…