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Trustees briefed on 10% rise in taxable value and shift of base levy to countywide collection
Summary
Finance staff told trustees taxable values rose about 10% and explained a legislative change moving the base levy to a countywide levy; the finance director said the change will alter how mills appear on tax bills but not total revenue for the district.
Denise Williams presented a preview of the 2026–27 budgets and told trustees that Department of Revenue taxable values came in roughly 10% higher than expected, a change she said will increase the value of a mill and alter how tax rates appear on bills.
"It increased by 10% in both districts," Denise Williams said, explaining she had expected little change because this is not a reappraisal year. She told trustees the district must adopt budgets by Aug. 20 so property tax bills can be generated and that a recent legislative change moves guaranteed‑tax‑base funds to a Missoula County countywide levy rather than direct district receipt.
Williams said the countywide shift will make district-level mills look smaller on taxpayers' statements even though overall funding does not decline, and she warned that some late reporting and implementation logistics should be expected as officials adapt to the new structure. Trustees were briefed that formal budget adoption will be on next week’s agenda.
