Flathead County

(406) 758-5501
800 S Main St, Kalispell, MT 59901

News Release
Kalispell – Flathead County Commissioners Adopt a Resolution to Reduce Levies
Wednesday, October 4, 2023, the Flathead County Board of Commissioners unanimously
adopted the resolution to correct the Mill Levy for the State Equalization, County High School
Equalization, and County Elementary Equalization Mill Levy Authority for the Fiscal Year
beginning July 1, 2023, and ending June 30, 2024. This resolution reduces the mills for the
mentioned levies from 95 mills to 77.9 mills allowed by MCA 15-10-420 and determined by the
Department of Revenue to be the correct calculation.

“We are not defunding the schools, contrary to rumors” reminded Commissioner Pam
Holmquist. Currently, the revenue generated from the 95 mills goes directly to the State General
Fund. Schools receive a fixed amount from the General Fund, (regardless of the difference), and
the excess remains in the State General Fund…it has not been returned to the taxpayers, until
now. The surplus of roughly 8.5 million dollars to Flathead County residents will reduce
property tax bills that will be sent out in the next few weeks.

“Nearly all of the 56 counties in Montana have this resolution on their ballot within the next
week,” said County Commissioner Randy Brodehl. Several counties have already passed the
resolution including Gallatin, Liberty, Phillips, Ravalli, Fergus, Valley, Beaverhead, and
Richland.

“I wouldn’t support the resolution if it had a negative impact on the schools,” added
Commissioner Brad Abell. “But it does make me wonder what’s been done with the excess in
the State’s General Fund for all of these years.”