What’s causing Montana’s skyrocketing property taxes?

“Collecting more taxes than is absolutely necessary is legalized robbery.” – President Calvin Coolidge

It’s no secret that property taxes are a major issue across the state. And with reappraisal notices hitting the mailboxes the last few weeks, many Montanans are fearful of rising property taxes. While experts caution higher valuations don’t guarantee higher taxes, another factor is guaranteed to increase your tax burden: local governments growing their budgets.

To get a better understanding of just how much local governments in Montana are spending we partnered with economist Vance Ginn, to create the 2024 Real Local Budgets report.

In this new report, the budgets of Montana’s six most populous counties and cities are compared to the metric of population growth plus inflation – considered by many to be an effective benchmark for responsible budget growth.

And the results are nothing less than stunning!

The cities of Missoula, Bozeman and Kalispell have each more than doubled their budgets since FY 2014, outpacing population growth plus inflation by a combined average 95%. Yellowstone, Gallatin and Missoula top the county spenders since FY 14, growing past population growth plus inflation by an average 41%.

Missoula remains a major center for reckless spending, with the city increasing it’s budget 56.72% faster than the growth of the economy, as measured by population growth plus inflation:

But Missoula isn’t the only one, since FY 2014, the City of Bozeman’s budget has grown 68.4% faster than the growth of the economy, as measured by population growth plus inflation:

So how does your city and county stack up?

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE OTHER CITIES & COUNTIES IN THE REPORT.

At a time when Montanans are buckling down and budgeting to save money, local governments should be following their lead. Property tax relief is possible, but only if local governments engage in fiscal responsibility.

For Liberty,
Tanner Avery

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