County administrator outlines strain from rising tax appeals, proposes new shared FTE to ease commissioner's office workload

County Administrator Pete Melnick told Flathead County commissioners May 5 that the commissioner's office is seeing sharply increased workload — in planning and zoning, lakeshore permits and tax appeals — and proposed adding a shared FTE to distribute duties across multiple functions.

"This kicks off the FY 27 budget briefs between the department heads and elected officials and the board," Melnick said, outlining workload increases and a planned 2% cost‑of‑living adjustment. He said the proposed FTE would split duties roughly 30% planning & zoning, 10% tax appeals (state‑reimbursed), 30% public administrator (fee funded) and 30% general administrative duties, and that some funding for those shares already exists in departments that benefit from the work.

Melnick and commissioners discussed the surge in property tax appeals after recent legislative changes; Melnick said the appeals process has "gone off like a rocket," requiring more staff time and hearings. He noted the state's reimbursement covers part of the cost (an example figure cited in the meeting was $18 per hour for the employee) and said the county has been covering the remainder.

Commissioners also discussed administrative supports such as software tools for boards and minutes tracking, and Melnick said he has worked with IT to develop a low‑cost solution to help boards maintain membership and records. He described potential timing for the new FTE and said staff will refine costing as the final budget is prepared.

What’s next: Staff will return with refined budget numbers for the proposed FTE and any capital/operating impacts in the final FY27 budget documents.