Park County commissioners adopt floating-mill levy method, join opioid settlement, repurpose resort-tax funds and approve office moves; wage raises deferred

Park County commissioners on Sept. 9 adopted a method for converting previously voted mill levies to a floating (indexed) rate under recently passed state legislation, approved joining a regional opioid settlement process, authorized repurposing underspent resort-tax funds for Cook City Water District projects and approved a set of office relocations — while deferring a separate pay increase for district court staff until January.

County finance staff member Erica summarized how the new 2025 law requires governments that have voted mills to choose between converting last year’s revenue into a floating mill (indexed by half of the prior year’s inflation plus new construction) or revaluing to a fixed mill and carrying it forward. "The recommendation has been to follow the first methodology," Erica said; she noted the change affects the library (5.5 voted mills) and the ambulance district (8.86 voted mills).

Commissioner Vermillion said choosing the floating approach "provides a little more predictability in funding" and helps protect taxpayers from large swings. A commissioner moved to sign the resolution implementing the floating-mill approach required by HB 231 and SB 542 (2025 Montana Legislature); the motion was seconded and approved on a voice vote.

On opioid-abatement funds, county staff member Kristen described a new participation packet for secondary manufacturer settlements coordinated at the state level that will allow Park County to apply for regional opioid abatement distributions. A motion to participate in the national opioid secondary manufacturer settlement was moved, seconded and carried by the board.

The board also considered a Cook City Water District request to repurpose an underspent $20,000 resort-tax allocation (and related previously allocated funds) for specific district needs. Mary Anne Keyes of MSU Extension, speaking in support of the district’s stewardship, said the district had completed roof and bench repairs and planned to use the remaining funds for a metal detector to find curb stops and to update the district’s legal description. Commissioners approved the modification of use for the resort-tax funds by voice vote.

Staff presented plans to repurpose a B Street building currently occupied by Northwestern Energy to house MSU Extension and, later, the health department and other county offices. Extension staff spoke in favor of the move as a taxpayer-responsible alternative to rented space; Mary Anne Keyes said, "We are in support of moving to B Street." Commissioners and staff discussed timing tied to Northwestern Energy’s move (now expected around January), an ISP timeline that could delay full network setup until November, and one-time conversion costs. Staff estimated roughly $285,000–$295,000 in initial work, to be covered by a mix of grants, extension reserves, opioid funding and other sources. The board voted to move the county attorney’s office to the county complex and relocate the health department and MSU Extension to B Street.

On personnel matters, county staff presented elected-official requests to increase pay for district court and clerk/recorder staff effective in FY 2026. Several employees and members of the public urged higher wages; county employee Carly Ahern said she supported livable wages but warned that approving these raises could lead to many additional requests. After debate about budget deficits and affordability, a motion was made to postpone action on the wage increases until January 2026; the board approved that postponement.

Routine items included approval of minutes for Sept. 2–4, adoption of consolidated levies for the Department of Revenue process, and department updates from public works, planning, emergency management and the fairgrounds. Public works reported the West Boulder Bridge deck is in and a ribbon-cutting was discussed for next week.

The meeting concluded after commissioners completed the consent agenda and other updates; the board adjourned following a motion and second. The county expects to sign the levy-method resolution and proceed with the approved participation in the opioid settlement and the funded office moves; staff will return with implementation details and any required contracts or project schedules.