Pondera County to place continuation of Conrad and Valier library levy on June ballot

The Pondera County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 4 to place a ballot question on the June 2 primary that would continue the voted levy supporting the Conrad and Valier public libraries.

The resolution, adopted 3-0, responds to requests from the boards of trustees of both libraries to allow voters to decide on an eight-year continuation of the levy. The county says the prior voted levy approved in 2022 expired in tax year 2025. The resolution estimates the levy would generate approximately $428,817 annually (about 20.88 mills) beginning with tax year 2026, plus an inflationary factor as permitted under Montana law.

County documents include sample fiscal impacts: a home with a market value of $100,000 would pay an estimated $15.87 per year under the levy; a $300,000 home would pay about $47.61, and a $600,000 home about $108.99. The resolution notes voters first approved the library levy in 2022; the proposed question is framed as a continuation of that earlier voter-approved levy.

Tiffany Christensen, representing the Conrad Library, and Cathy Brandvold, representing the Valier Library, were listed among those present when the board adopted the resolution. The minutes record the trustee boards executed a written agreement dated May 11, 2024 describing the distribution of funds should voters approve the levy.

The commission instructed the Clerk and Recorder to work with the county attorney on the ballot language. If placed before voters, the question will appear on the June 2, 2026 ballot as a continuing voted tax levy for county libraries.