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The Columbia Falls City Council is looking for public input on ways to spruce up its business district in the coming year. The city announced Monday it will have about $221,000 in tax increment financing for the next fiscal year.

The city set up a TIF district back in 2015. It utilizes the taxes that are generated above and beyond what the tax base was when the district was created for urban renewal projects.

For example, this year, the city will use about $90,000 in TIF funds to finance wayfinding signs in the city and to make “bulb out” pedestrian crossings at 6th and 7th Streets where they cross Nucleus Avenue.

Other cities have used TIF funds to finance lighting, trees and other amenities to make their business districts more attractive.

The public hearing is at 7 p.m. June 4 in council chambers.

In other news:

- Mayor Don Barnhart broached the possibility of floating a public safety levy in the coming years. The city has seen significant population growth. In 2000, it had about 4,000 people. Today, it has about 5,200. As such, the city is looking at adding another police officer to the force — bringing the total to nine. It’s also considering adding a fire marshal as a paid position. As the city grows toward a second class city under Montana law, it will, at some point, have to have a fully paid fire department.

- Columbia Falls residents are gambling a bit more. While total gambling revenue is down statewide, the city’s was up 6.3 percent from $186,000 in gambling tax revenue in 2017 to $197,996 in 2018 to date, according to the state.