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Department of Revenue seeks millions to implement property tax revisions, address missed new construction
Summary
In a budget hearing, Department of Revenue officials described a legislative request for funds to implement property tax revisions, outlined technology and staffing challenges in identifying new construction, and reported increases in electronic filing and collections activity.
Department of Revenue officials told a legislative committee the department needs additional funding and tools to identify new construction, implement upcoming property tax revisions and maintain customer-facing services.
Paula Gilbert, administrator of the Property Assessment Division, said a legislative audit found the division misses some new construction and recommended several remedies, including change-detection aerial imagery and expanded data sharing with permitting authorities. "Montana is such a large state that on average our appraisers cover 885 square miles," Gilbert told the committee, noting the state's low appraiser-per-acre density compared with more compact jurisdictions.
Gilbert described steps the division has taken to improve outreach and consistency, including reopening county field offices (Livingston, Broadwater, Rosebud) under courthouse agreements, reintroducing statewide training and holding town-hall meetings. She said the division is piloting change-detection tools in Broadwater and Liberty counties…
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