County adopts FY2025–26 budget and retains method for voted mills under state law

Anaconda Deer Lodge County commissioners voted to adopt the county'wide budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and to establish the county'wide mill levies, moving the county from draft numbers to a final levy and budget.

The commission approved Resolution 25-17, which sets mill levies for the county for FY2025–26, after county staff reported that final school valuation figures from the state changed for a few districts (including Wise River and Wisdom) and that those updates adjusted school mills. A county staff member said the school numbers were not final at last week's meeting but have now been updated; commissioners recessed no further changes and the resolution was approved by voice vote.

Commissioner Smith moved to approve Resolution 25-18 adopting the county budget for 2025–26; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The commission then approved Resolution 25-19, which establishes the method for levying voted mills in accordance with House Bill 231 and Senate Bill 542 passed by the 2025 Montana Legislature. County staff explained that the state allowed counties the option to preserve prior-year taxable revenue levels when statewide values dropped; the commission chose to use the current values with the option to increase revenues in future years as county assessed values increase.

The approvals complete the county'level action needed to finalize the levy and budget ahead of the new fiscal year. Commissioners did not request additional substantive changes during the discussion and recorded the votes as voice approvals. The commission also handled routine business, including approving minutes, claims, and event permits, during the same meeting.

The commission adjourned after approving the agenda items; follow-up items include circulation of the final adopted budget and mill-levy schedule by county staff and posting of the official resolutions.