Broadwater County commission approves sheriff mill levy ballot, updates subdivision fees and other measures

The Broadwater County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 5 approved a slate of resolutions and routine claims, voted to put a sheriff mill-levy question on the May 6 ballot and approved updates to subdivision review fees, while leaving a proposed purchase of two snowplow trucks for later consideration.

The most consequential actions were two related measures supporting the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office: the commission adopted a resolution allocating 34.4% of the county's floating property-tax mills to the sheriff's office for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, and approved a separate resolution authorizing a ballot question asking voters to authorize up to 39.93 mills for law enforcement, detention and dispatch services. Sheriff Nick Rausser said the ballot question would be placed on the May 6, 2025 mail ballot and that the proposed rate equals the amount approved by voters in 2020; Rausser said he intends to mill 20% less next year while retaining the authority to increase up to the approved maximum if needed.

Why it matters: The ballot authorization, if approved by voters, would create a permanent public-safety mill levy; Rausser said a permanent levy helps with recruiting and retaining staff and planning for patrol and detention services. The resolution includes sample tax impacts: an additional $53.91 per year on a $100,000 home, $161.72 on a $300,000 home and $323.43 on a $600,000 home, and directs the election administrator to follow MCA notice requirements.

The commission also approved these items: adoption of revised Broadwater County Subdivision Review…