Gallatin County commissioners adopt recalculated tax levies after state value corrections; approve fire reimbursement and appointment

The Gallatin County Commission on Oct. 7 approved a resolution that recalculates countywide mill levies after the Montana Department of Revenue supplied corrected certified property values for about 26 taxing districts.

Deputy Administrator Cola Rolli told commissioners that the county had previously approved final budgets and mill levies on Aug. 26, 2025, but received revised certified values on Sept. 17. "The values in this resolution supersede any previously adopted values for the mill levies this year," Rolli said, explaining staff recalculated and recertified the levies so the county’s tax rolls reflect the corrected state numbers.

The vote to adopt the revised levies followed discussion about how to explain the change to the public. Commissioner (speaker 5) asked for clearer civic communication so residents understand that the county voluntarily recalculated levies based on the state’s corrected certifications rather than retaining earlier certified numbers that would be inaccurate. Rolli and commissioners praised the finance team for working under a tight deadline to recalculate the values.

The commission also approved a budget amendment to capture $90,843 in fire-related revenue from state reimbursements. Cath Flanagan of Gallatin County emergency management said the county received final reimbursements from the final months of state fiscal year 2025 and the amendment brings those prior expenditures into the public safety fund.

During public comment, Summer Ridge resident Jim Martin urged commissioners to address what he called inadequate staffing at the Spring Hill Road fire station and to consider measures — including a moratorium on development — to reduce strain on Central Valley Fire District. Martin said response times for medical emergencies have stretched to 20 minutes or more. Commissioners acknowledged the concern during the meeting but did not take separate action on the comment.

The commission also filled a vacancy on the Mental Health Local Advisory Council, appointing Matt Benjamin Albers to serve the remainder of a term expiring July 31, 2026. Albers, who the agenda lists as a Bozeman resident and a software engineer with Bridger Photonics, said he wants to be involved in improving local mental-health services.

All three motions — the consent agenda (which included claims and multiple contracts and grants), the $90,843 budget amendment (resolution 2025-588), and the resolution fixing tax levies and fees for fiscal year 2026 (citing MCA 7-6-4034 and 7-6-4036) — were moved and approved during the meeting.

The commission adjourned after completing the agenda and thanked staff for meeting the recalculation and noticing requirements under state law.