Commission hears application for residential tax-exemption tied to $125,000 remodel at 611 Walnut St.

Eric Hoiland, Anaconda-Deer Lodge County chief financial officer, opened the public hearing by describing an application submitted on behalf of Cathryn Stillman of ICW Montana for a tax exemption linked to an estimated $125,000 remodel of 611 Walnut Street. "The application was submitted by Cathryn Stillman, the CEO of ICW Montana, for the property at 611 Walnut Street," Hoiland said, adding that the property's current market value is $110,000 and that "the first year we are looking at a difference of about $1,000.00 from the original tax bill."

County Attorney Morgan Smith cautioned that the statute governing the application is specific about timelines and the Department of Revenue's (DOR) role. Smith said the statute contemplates a DOR inspection and determination of whether market value will increase sufficiently and noted the Commission must approve or deny within 120 days of receipt. "Part of the process contemplates a response from the DOR; they are who will make the determination," Smith said.

Commissioners and the CEO raised concerns about precedent and eligibility. CEO Bill Everett said the law’s intent appeared aimed at commercial or larger infrastructure projects, not homeowner-scale remodels, and warned that approval could prompt many similar homeowner applications. Hoiland noted that actual assessed-value increases are not dollar-for-dollar with construction spending and that the county will be able to reclaim funds if assessments don’t meet the statutory thresholds.

The public hearing was opened and closed with no members of the public speaking. The Commission did not take final action; members agreed to await DOR's appraisal and additional guidance before placing the application on a future business agenda for decision.