News Archives
News Articles Archive
The Big Sky Way: Onward and upward
Reflection on a journey to inform, engage and invest in Big Sky's future Published April 10, 2025, by Explore Big Sky By Daniel Bierschwale EBS COLUMNIST In the words of Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the...
The Big Sky Way: Investing in public spaces that bring us together
The importance of public investment in housing Published March 14, 2025 by Explore Big Sky By Daniel Bierschwale EBS COLUMNIST Big Sky’s landscape tells a story of adventure, resilience and community. From our winding trails to our open green spaces, these public...
The Big Sky Way: Investing in housing, investing in community
The importance of public investment in housing Published February 19, 2025 by Explore Big Sky By Daniel Bierschwale EBS COLUMNIST Big Sky is our home—a place with thousands of acres of skiable terrain, nearly 40 miles of trails, and endless fly-fishing opportunities...
Shaping Big Sky’s Future: Voters to Decide on Resort Tax Renewal and Community Investments
BIG SKY, Montana - February 28, 2025 – On February 4, the Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD) Board unanimously approved a resolution to hold a mail-in election on May 6, giving voters the opportunity to shape the future of our community. Under the Livable Big Sky...
Big Sky Community Backs Bill to Fix Outdated Service Boundaries
Big Sky, Montana – February 3, 2025 – The Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD) proudly supports a forthcoming Senate Bill 260, introduced by Senator Greg Hertz (R) in the 2025 Montana Legislative Session. The bill addresses geographic inaccessibility within service...
The Big Sky Way: From capital to capitol
Understanding Montana’s legislative session Published January 2, 2025 by Explore Big Sky By Daniel Bierschwale EBS COLUMNIST Over the past two years, we’ve talked a lot about Big Sky’s Capital Improvement Plan and the importance of investing in large-scale projects...
The Big Sky Way: Not all taxes are created equal
Funding public projects requires a variety of tools, and in Big Sky, property taxes and resort taxes are two of the most impactful. While both serve the common goal of supporting public needs, they differ significantly in function, particularly when it comes to bonding.
The Big Sky Way: To infinity and beyond
For over 30 years, this tax has shaped Big Sky, funding critical infrastructure, services, and community projects. To continue building a vibrant and resilient community, renewing and extending the resort tax is essential.
The Big Sky Way: Funding our future
A Capital Improvement Plan is a comprehensive strategy that details major capital investments required for a community’s long-term growth and sustainability. Updated in 2023, Big Sky’s CIP identifies essential projects designed to address key infrastructure deficiencies throughout the boundary of the Big Sky Resort Area District.
BSRAD Seeking Compliance Support
BSRAD is seeking an individual on a contract basis to support resort tax collection, business registration, and compliance efforts. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative contributor with a desire to support the Big Sky community. The contract will require strong...
Email Newsletter Archive
2024
- The Big Sky Way: Not all taxes are created equal (12/6/2024)
- The Big Sky Way: To infinity and beyond (10/28/2024)
- The Big Sky Way: Funding our future (9/26/2024)
- BSRAD Seeking Compliance Support (9/17/2024)
- Governance Study Community Meeting (9/17/2024)
- Community Week 2024 (9/16/2024)
- Public Notice: Board Vacancy (9/13/2024)
- The Big Sky Way: Grooming the trail (8/20/2024)
- NOTICE: LAST CALL FOR BIG SKY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN PROJECTS (8/16/2024)
- Local Government Review (7/10/2024)
- The Big Sky Way: Stuck in summer traffic (6/25/2024)
- FY25 Commitments and Meeting Recap (6/10/2024)
- Meet the BSRAD Board (5/30/2024)
- How do YOU want your public dollars spent? (5/21/2024)
- The Ripple Effect – The importance of sustaining Big Sky’s economy (5/14/2024)
- The Big Sky Way: A primary decision (5/13/2024)
- Joint County Commission & BSRAD Board Meeting Recap (5/10/2024)
- April’s BSRAD in a Minute (4/25/2024)
- VOTE: Election Day May 7th (4/24/2024)
- Incorporation Exploration Study Proposals In Review (4/18/2024)
- Public Notice: Board Vacancy (4/17/2024)
- Honoring Steve Johnson (4/12/2024)
- Candidate Forum (4/3/2024)
- The Big Sky Way: Be a proud, sticker-wearing American (4/3/2024)
- Government Services Applications Review Underway (4/1/2024)
- BSRAD in a Minute for March 2024 (3/14/2024)
- The Big Sky Way: Cheers to decades of property tax relief (3/5/2024)
- Madison County seeking election judges for new polling station (3/4/2024)
- February’s BSRAD in a Minute (3/4/2024)
- PUBLIC NOTICE: Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals Incorporation Exploration Study (2/15/2024)
- Candidate Filing Deadline for Special Purpose District Elections (2/12/2024)
- The Big Sky Way: Power to the people (2/7/2024)
- FY25 Allocations Cycle Announced (1/11/2024)
2023
- PUBLIC NOTICE: Call for FY25 Resort Tax Funding Applications – Nonprofit & Non-Government Entities (12/28/2023)
- PUBLIC NOTICE: Call for FY25 Resort Tax Funding Applications – Government Entities (12/28/2023)
- Candidate Filing Opens for Special Purpose District Elections (12/14/2023)
- FY25 Funding Priorities (12/8/2023)
- Community Week 2023 was a great success! (11/1/2023)
- Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Goes to County Commissions (9/25/2023)
- September BSRAD in a Minute (9/21/2023)
- Incorporation Exploration Report (9/13/2023)
- Announcing Madison County Commissioner Open Houses (9/7/2023)
- TIGER Grant Update (8/24/2023)
- August BSRAD in a Minute (8/9/2023)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | August 9 @ 9:00 am (8/8/2023)
- July BSRAD in a Minute (7/19/2023)
- New Late Fee Procedure (7/19/2023)
- FY24 Awards Finalized (7/14/2023)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | Wednesday, July 12 (7/1/2023)
- June BSRAD in a Minute (6/22/2023)
- FY24 Application Review Meetings | June 5th, 6th & 8th (6/5/2023)
- FY24 Applicant Q&A Now Available (5/26/2023)
- Coffee & Conversation | Tuesday, May 23 (5/18/2023)
- FY2024-Applicant BSCO (4/28/2023)
- April BSRAD in a Minute (4/24/2023)
- SPRING COMMISSION/BSRAD BOARD MEETING | May 3rd @ 10:00 am (4/19/2023)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | April 19th @ 9:00 am (4/10/2023)
- March BSRAD in a Minute (3/15/2023)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | March 8th @ 9:00 am (3/3/2023)
- BSRAD Board Meeting-LOI Eligibility Review | February 27@ 9:00 am (2/23/2023)
- Introducing BSRAD in a Minute (2/17/2023)
- FY24-26 Strategic Plan (2/17/2023)
- NOW ACCEPTING: FY24 Funding Applications (2/1/2023)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | February 8th @ 9:00 am (1/31/2023)
- PUBLIC NOTICE: CALL FOR BIG SKY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (1/10/2023)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | January 11th @ 9:00 am (1/9/2023)
2022
- BSRAD Board Meeting | November 9th @ 9:00 am (11/3/2022)
- 2023 Business Registration & Renewal due December 31st 2022 (11/1/2022)
- FREE PIZZA! Join us for a: SLICE of Community Week! (10/18/2022)
- Community Week 2022 – Friday Recap (10/12/2022)
- Community Week 2022 – Thursday Recap (10/12/2022)
- 5th Annual Community Builders Forum & Economic Outlook (10/6/2022)
- Panel Discussion: Housing (10/6/2022)
- Panel Discussion: Transportation (10/6/2022)
- Community Week 2022 – Wednesday Recap (10/6/2022)
- Community Week 2022 – Tuesday Recap (10/6/2022)
- Community Week 2022 – Monday Recap (10/6/2022)
- Local Government at Work: Fall Commission/BSRAD Meeting (10/5/2022)
- Panel Discussion: Emergency Management (10/4/2022)
- Panel Discussion: Water Supply (10/4/2022)
- Vote Big Sky: Voter Education (10/3/2022)
- Lunch & Learn: Our Big Sky Implementation (10/3/2022)
- Fall Commission/BSRAD Meeting | October 5th @ 9:00am (10/3/2022)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | September 14th @ 9:00 am (9/8/2022)
- Community Week 2022 | October 3rd – 7th (8/31/2022)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | August 10th @ 9:00 am (8/8/2022)
- Introducing NavigateBigSky.org (7/25/2022)
- BSRAD Board Meeting – July 13th @ 9:00 am (7/8/2022)
- FY23 Community Survey (7/1/2022)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | June 29th @ noon (6/23/2022)
- Hiring | Communications and Community Engagement Manager (6/17/2022)
- FY23 Award Results (6/10/2022)
- JOIN US TONIGHT! FY23 Application Review @ 5:30pm (6/6/2022)
- FY23 Application Review | June 6th & 9th @ 5:30pm (5/17/2022)
- BSRAD Board Meeting – May 11th @ 9:00 am (5/5/2022)
- FY23 Project Applications – Now Available for Review & Public Comment (4/21/2022)
- BSRAD Board Meeting – April 20th @ 9:00 am (4/18/2022)
- OUR BIG SKY: 2022 Update (3/30/2022)
- BSRAD Board Meeting – March 30th @ 9:00am (3/25/2022)
- BSRAD Board Meeting – March 9th @ 9:00am (3/4/2022)
- BSRAD Board Meeting – February 9th @ 9:00am (2/7/2022)
- FY23 Funding Applications Available (2/1/2022)
- FY22 MID-YEAR IMPACT REPORTS (1/14/2022)
2021
- BSRAD Board Meeting – VIRTUAL-ONLY | January 5th @ 9:00am (12/29/2021)
- Notice! Annual Business Registration Deadline: Dec. 31st (12/7/2021)
- Free Community-Wide COVID-19 Testing Returns for Winter 21/22 (11/23/2021)
- CommUNITY Forum Recording & Survey (11/5/2021)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | November 10th @ 9:00am (11/2/2021)
- Community Forum – Tues. Oct. 26th @ The Wilson (10/25/2021)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | October 13th @ 9:00am (10/7/2021)
- Save the Date! Big Sky CommUNITY Forum: Tuesday, Oct. 26th (9/20/2021)
- FY23 Scoring System Finalized (9/8/2021)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | September 8th @ 9:00am (9/3/2021)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | August 11th @ 9:00am (8/4/2021)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | July 14th @ 9:00am (7/6/2021)
- Mark Your Calendar – FY23 Application Dates (6/30/2021)
- COMMUNITY SURVEY – We Need Your Feedback! (6/14/2021)
- FY22 Final Awards (6/10/2021)
- FY22 Application Review Meetings | June 7th & 10th @ 5:30 pm (6/4/2021)
- BSRAD FY20 Annual Report | Digitally Available (6/1/2021)
- Project Spotlight: Case Management, Outreach, Operations, and Food Purchase | Big Sky Community Food Bank (5/20/2021)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | May 12th @ 9:00am (5/10/2021)
- FY22 Funding Applications – Now Available for Review & Public Comment (5/4/2021)
- MADISON & GALLATIN COUNTIES JOINT COMMISSION MEETING | April 29th @ 10:00 A.M. (4/28/2021)
- Project Spotlight: Permanent Conservation of Big Sky’s Fish & Wildlife Habitat & Open Space | Montana Land Reliance (4/6/2021)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | April 7th @ 9:00am (4/1/2021)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | March 10th @ 9:00am (3/8/2021)
- FY22 Applications for Funding Now Live (3/1/2021)
- Project Spotlight | Winter Season at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center (2/12/2021)
- CALL FOR APPLICATIONS-GOVERNMENT ENTITIES (2/12/2021)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | Feb. 10th 2021 @ 9:00AM (2/5/2021)
- Big Sky Relief Update: COVID-19 Test Kits are Out-of-Stock Jan. 11th – 18th (1/13/2021)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | Jan. 27, 2021 @ 9:00AM (1/13/2021)
- Call for FY22 Resort Tax Funding Applications (1/7/2021)
2020
- Project Spotlight: Community Outreach | Gallatin Invasive Species Alliance (12/16/2020)
- FREE Community COVID-19 Surveillance Testing (12/9/2020)
- New Business Resources (12/3/2020)
- Collector Survey and Business Advisory Group (11/24/2020)
- Project Spotlight: Community Recycling and Compost Removal (11/17/2020)
- FY21 Fall Award Results (11/12/2020)
- Project Spotlight: Operations of the Big Sky Community Housing Trust (11/2/2020)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | Oct. 28, 2020 @ 9:00AM (10/23/2020)
- FY21 Fall Application Review Meetings | Nov 10th & 12th @ 5:30PM (10/15/2020)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | Oct. 14, 2020 @ 9:00AM (10/9/2020)
- Public Comment for Application Review Meetings (10/8/2020)
- FY21 Fall Application Review Meeting Details (10/5/2020)
- Project Spotlight: Improving River Health and Recreation on the Gallatin (9/30/2020)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | Sept. 9th, 2020 @ 9:00AM (9/4/2020)
- FY21 Fall Applications for Funding Now Live (9/1/2020)
- Call for FY21 Fall Resort Tax Applications (8/10/2020)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | August 12th @ 9:00 am (7/31/2020)
- Community Survey (7/2/2020)
- BSRAD Board Meeting | July 8th, 2020 @ 9:00AM (7/2/2020)
- NOW IN EFFECT – AIRBNB TAX COLLECTION & REMITTANCE CHANGES (6/15/2020)
- FY21 Spring Application Review Meetings | June 10th & 17th @ 5:30PM (6/8/2020)
- Applicant Q&A Meeting | Wednesday June 3rd 5:30-8:30 PM (6/2/2020)
- FY21 Spring Q&A, Application Review, and Award Decision Virtual Meeting Details (5/11/2020)
- Election Results (5/6/2020)
- BSRAD Board Meeting – May 6th 9:00am (5/4/2020)
- BSRAD Scenario Planning Working Session – Wed April 29, 9am (4/27/2020)
- BSRAD Board Meeting – Wednesday, April 8th (4/2/2020)
- Big Sky Resort Area District & Local Foundations Launch Big Sky Relief Effort (3/20/2020)
- Board Meeting – Friday March 20, 2020 (3/18/2020)
- Covid-19 Update | Big Sky Resort Area District Open and Operating Remotely (3/14/2020)
- BSRAD Moves Forward 1% for Infrastructure Vote (3/14/2020)
- Board Meeting – March 11, 2020 (3/4/2020)
- FY21 Applications are Live (3/1/2020)
- Board Meeting – February 10, 2020 (2/6/2020)
- Board Meeting – February 4, 2020 (1/30/2020)
- Upcoming BSRAD Board of Directors Election (1/17/2020)
2019
- January 7th, 2020 – BOARD MEETING (12/31/2019)
- VRBO/HomeAway Tax Collections and Remittance Changes Effective January 1, 2020 (12/24/2019)
- Ordinance 98-01 Revision Details, FAQ, & Training (11/25/2019)
- New Ordinance 98-01 Now In Effect (11/25/2019)
- Notice for Call of Applications of 1% for Infrastructure Projects (11/22/2019)
- New Ordinance Training Sessions – November 7th, 2019 (11/6/2019)
- OPEN BOARD MEETING – November 13, 2019 (11/6/2019)
- Business Registration is Live (11/6/2019)
- Eggs & Issues: Resort Tax Community Visioning (11/2/2019)
- Ordinance 98-01 Revision Details, FAQ, & Training (10/25/2019)
- OPEN BOARD MEETING – 2nd ORDINANCE READING – OCTOBER 25, 2019 (10/11/2019)
- OPEN BOARD MEETING – ORDINANCE READING – OCTOBER 9, 2019 (10/2/2019)
- OPEN BOARD MEETING – ORDINANCE REVISION – SEPTEMBER 20, 2019 (9/11/2019)
- Open Board Meeting – September 10, 2019 (8/26/2019)
- Open Board Position (8/26/2019)
- Open Board Meeting – August 30, 2019 (8/26/2019)
- Open Board Meeting – August 14, 2019 (8/7/2019)
- Open Board Meeting – July 18, 2019 (7/11/2019)
- Open Board Meeting – July 10, 2019 (7/3/2019)
- Operations Manager Position Opening (6/18/2019)
- Final Appropriations FY2020 (6/14/2019)
- Administrative Assistant Position Opening (6/5/2019)
- Open Board Meeting – Final Appropriations – June 10, 2019 (6/3/2019)
- Open Board Meeting – Appropriations Q & A – June 3, 2019 (5/28/2019)
- Open Board Meeting – May 31, 2019 (5/24/2019)
- Open Board Meeting – May 13, 2019 (5/7/2019)
- WELCOME TO THE FY 2020 RESORT TAX APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS (5/3/2019)
- MADISON and GALLATIN COUNTIES JOINT COMMISSION MEETING (4/4/2019)
- Open Board Meeting – April 8, 2019 (4/2/2019)
- Final Appropriations Meeting – June 10, 2019 (3/18/2019)
- Resort Tax Application Tutorial Session (3/15/2019)
- Open Board Meeting – March 13, 2019 (3/7/2019)
- Open Board Meeting – February 13, 2019 (2/6/2019)
- Notice of Meeting – February 5, 2019 (1/29/2019)
- Resort Tax Legislation: Draft Bill (1/10/2019)
- Open Board Meeting – January 9, 2019 (1/2/2019)
2018
- RFP’s for Accounting and Attorney Services (12/21/2018)
- Administrative Assistant Position Opening (12/18/2018)
- Open Board Meeting – December 21, 2018 (12/14/2018)
- Seeking a Capable Executive to Lead the Big Sky Resort Area District (12/6/2018)
- Open Board Meeting – December 12, 2018 (12/6/2018)
- Resort Tax Summit – November 30, 2018 (11/23/2018)
- Open Board Meeting – November 14, 2018 (11/7/2018)
- Open Board Meeting – October 3, 2018 (9/26/2018)
- Open Board Meeting – September 7, 2018 (8/31/2018)
- Approved Delinquency Procedures (8/9/2018)
- Open Board Meeting – August 8, 2018 (8/1/2018)
- Open Board Meeting – July 11, 2018 (7/5/2018)
- Final Appropriations FY2019 (6/20/2018)
- Resort Tax Membership Dues Taxation (6/6/2018)
- Welcome to the 2019 Resort Tax Appropriations Process (5/13/2018)
- Newly Elected Board Members (5/9/2018)
- Board Meeting Dates (3/14/2018)
- Important Election Dates (3/13/2018)
- Board Meeting February 14, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. (2/7/2018)
- Operational Restructuring Subcommittee Meeting February 7, 2018 at 10:00 A.M. (1/31/2018)
- Reminder: May Election Dates (1/30/2018)
- Annual Resort Tax Summit January 19, 2018 at 3:00 P.M. (1/11/2018)
- Ordinance Subcommittee Meeting January 8, 2018 at 1:00 P.M. (1/4/2018)
- Board Meeting January 10, 2018 at 9:00 A.M. (1/3/2018)
2017
- Ordinance Subcommittee Meeting December 20, 2017 at 9 AM (12/18/2017)
- Posted Schedule for the District Office (12/18/2017)
- Board Meeting December 13, 2017 at 9:30 AM (12/6/2017)
- May 2018 Election: Important Dates (12/4/2017)
- Board Meeting November 8th, 2017 at 8 AM (11/2/2017)
- Operational Restructuring Subcommittee Meeting October 10th, 2017 at 9 AM (10/3/2017)
- District Officer Position Opening (9/14/2017)
- Board Meeting Dates (7/27/2017)
- Final Appropriations for FY 2018 (6/14/2017)
- The 2018 Appropriations Process Has Begun! Click Here! (5/3/2017)
- Appropriation Meeting Dates (3/23/2017)
- Penny for Housing Draft Bill (2/1/2017)
2016
- 2016-17 Final Appropriations (6/27/2016)
- Q&A Video Recording and Summary (6/8/2016)
2015
- Newly Elected Board Members (11/4/2015)
- How to Vote (9/23/2015)
- Resort Tax Board Candidates (9/23/2015)
- Candidate Debate (9/23/2015)
- Applications Summary (4/6/2015)
- 2015-2016 Appropriation Applications Are In (4/5/2015)
- Ordinance 98-01, As Amended Effective June 1, 2015 (2/11/2015)
2014
- Ordinance 2014-01 Effective October 12th, 2014 (9/10/2014)
- Summer Vendor Information (5/23/2014)
- Ordinance 98-01, As Amended Effective April 11, 2014 (3/25/2014)
- Join Us: Town Hall Meeting II: Mar. 13th at 7PM in the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center (2/26/2014)
- Public Notice, Agenda and Copy of Ordinance 98-01 with Amendments for Thurs. Feb 13 Town Hall Meeting (1/29/2014)
- Setting Records: Resort Tax Update (1/15/2014)
2013
- Resort Tax 2013 Elections (10/4/2013)
- Resort Tax 2013-2014 Final Appropriations (6/12/2013)
- 2013-2014 Appropriation Applications (4/3/2013)
- Town Hall Meeting II: Recap (2/11/2013)
- Organizational Survey Compilation (2/7/2013)
- Questions and Answers from Town Hall Meeting I (2/7/2013)
- Agenda: Town Hall Meeting II: February 11 (2/7/2013)
- Town Hall Meeting I: Recap (1/25/2013)
- Notes from the First Town Hall Meeting (1/24/2013)
- Big Sky Community Organization Survey (1/6/2013)
2012
- Donations and Resort Tax: What Applies? (2/22/2012)
- A Year in Review: 2011 (2/16/2012)
- Update from the Big Sky Resort Area District (1/23/2012)
2011
- BSRAD 2011 Election Preliminary Results (10/21/2011)
- 2011-12 Appropriations Results (6/23/2011)
2010
- Notice to All Property Owners – Updated (6/30/2010)
- Resort Tax Survey Results (5/25/2010)