Montana Taxpayers Association briefs House Taxation Committee on updated property tax “gold book”

Bob Story of the Montana Taxpayers Association provided the House Taxation Committee with a brief introduction to the association’s updated property tax reference, the “gold book.”

Story said the gold book presents mill-levy information for counties, cities, special districts and school districts across the state and includes a new set of charts that show multi-year trends in taxable value, mill levies and total revenue. He said the book is intended as a reference for committee members and local officials when they discuss property tax issues.

Story explained the organization of the book: county levies and account breakdowns (road and bridge, county accounts), city levies (general fund and other accounts), special districts such as fire and cemetery districts, and separate lines for school district levies (elementary, high school, statewide mills and total mills). He noted new chart features in the back of the book that give a “more linear look” at what has happened over time for counties and the state’s 10 largest cities.

Story pointed out the charts illustrate how mill levies dropped across most levels after the 2023 reappraisal, while the state-maintained its statewide mills. Committee members and the chair said the book is a useful reference for discussions with county commissioners and local officials.

The briefing was brief and informational; no formal committee action was taken on the materials. Chair Fielder thanked Story and noted the packet will be a helpful reference for members returning to their districts.

The committee then moved to executive action on Senate Bill 90.