Granite County weighs local-option tax on high-value vehicles, moves to refine ballot language
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Summary
Granite County commissioners reviewed Resolution 2026-4 to place a local-option tax on light/‘luxury’ vehicles with MSRP $150,000 or more on the ballot, debated threshold and exemptions, and directed staff to refine language and publish a fact sheet explaining how revenue would be distributed to the county and to the towns of Phillipsburg and Drummond.
Granite County commissioners on Feb. 17 considered a proposed ballot measure that would allow the county to collect a local-option tax on lightweight motor vehicles with manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of $150,000 or more.
Treasurer Ashley Todd told the board the county currently has about $1.3 billion worth of vehicles with MSRPs of $100,000 or more registered in Granite County, and said the local option could redirect some revenue to the county and the incorporated towns. "We do currently, in Granite County, have $1,300,000,000 worth of MSRP of vehicles, registered here in Granite County that are vehicles that are a $100,000 in value or more," Todd said.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the measure could produce funds for infrastructure and grant-matching, but members also raised concerns about how narrowly the ballot language should be written and whether exemptions (for motorhomes or antiques) are legally permitted. The board discussed aligning the county threshold with state rules and making the distribution explicit in a fact sheet.
What was proposed: The draft resolution would place a local option on the primary ballot authorizing a per-vehicle levy on qualifying light vehicles. The board discussed keeping the MSRP threshold at $150,000 to reduce the number of residents affected and to better align with state registration categories. Treasurer Ashley Todd said the funds are distributed under state statute (MCA 61-3-537) and recommended including that citation in the voter information materials.
Public comment and next steps: Residents and town officials asked that the ballot description make clear how proceeds would be shared with Phillipsburg and Drummond. Commissioner discussion concluded with direction to staff to revise the resolution title and ballot language to state the $150,000 MSRP threshold and to include plain-language distribution text; the commission scheduled a second reading and final language next week.
The meeting record shows commissioners approved the proposed edits for a second reading; no final voter question was bound at this session.
