Kalispell – Flathead County Commissioners Adopt a Resolution to Reduce State Levies
Wednesday, October 4, 2023, the Flathead County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the resolution to correct the Mill Levy for the State Equalization, County High School Equalization, and County Elementary Equalization Mill Levy Authority for the Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024. This resolution reduces the mills for the mentioned levies from 95 mills to 77.9 mills allowed by MCA 15-10-420 and determined by the Department of Revenue to be the correct calculation.
“We are not defunding the schools, contrary to rumors” reminded Commissioner Pam Holmquist. Currently, the revenue generated from the 95 mills goes directly to the State General Fund. Schools receive a fixed amount from the General Fund, (regardless of the difference), and the excess remains in the State General Fund…it has not been returned to the taxpayers, until now. The surplus of roughly 8.5 million dollars to Flathead County residents will reduce property tax bills that will be sent out in the next few weeks.
“Nearly all of the 56 counties in Montana have this resolution on their ballot within the next week,” said County Commissioner Randy Brodehl. Several counties have already passed the resolution including Gallatin, Liberty, Phillips, Ravalli, Fergus, Valley, Beaverhead, and Richland.
“I wouldn’t support the resolution if it had a negative impact on the schools,” added Commissioner Brad Abell. “But it does make me wonder what’s been done with the excess in the State’s General Fund for all of these years.”