Revenue Director Explains Property Assessments
 | Author:
Nancy Marks, Reporter
Nancy Marks: MT43 News Secretary and News Editor |
Revenue Director Explains Property Assessments
Nancy Marks
Reporter
Brendan Beatty, director of the Montana Department of Revenue, came to Townsend last week well-prepared for what could have been contentious public meetings about property taxes. After all was said and questions answered, people seemed satisfied.
At issue were property appraisal notices newly issued by the department. In Broadwater County, as well as in most of Montana, the figures reflected sharp increases in the value of residential property, raising fears of dramatic hikes to come in property taxes.
Beatty was flanked by close to a dozen department officials and aides as he made his presentations at two sessions in the community room of the Broadwater School library on July 16. About 70 people attended each. They were the first of property assessment town hall meetings scheduled by the department in 14 cities across the state through July 23.
Beatty set the tone by explaining the work done by his 285 employees to ensure that property is assessed properly and by state law. “The law set by the legislature in the 1970s says we assess property at 100 percent of market value,” he said, “The reason assessments have jumped so high in Broadwater County is because of so many new folks moving in and buying homes at inflated values. I explain the jump by saying the cause is due to COVID and Costner,” he quipped.
His reference was to the actor Kevin Costner and the television series “Yellowstone,” filmed in Montana and enticing people to move into the state. Many people have seen their property assessments jump as high as 300 percent over the last two years, he said.
Beatty apologized that the numbers on residents’ assessments showed so much disparity. The estimated 2023 tax on the notices is based on last year’s mill levies from the county. But he said, “The more taxable value we have in an area (more properties on the tax rolls) the more the mill value goes down. That way your taxes may not go up or go up very little because of all the new properties in Broadwater County,” he explained.
Counting new properties
Roz Olson, head of the departmental district Broadwater is in, explained her workers’ count of new properties. “We surveyed for assessment 183 new houses in 2021 and 131 houses in 2022. It’s the barns and outbuildings we don’t get,” she said. The department only does a comprehensive count every six years, she noted.
County resident Keith Kirscher asked Beatty how the department employees are reaching the properties not already on the tax rolls. Beatty said the department is engaging road crews with an app on their phones so they can contact the department directly when they see new property startups. Agents also check through septic and electrical permits, but they miss grain bins, shops and houses that are off the grid. Broadwater County does not have a building permit system.
Beatty also explained that a vast amount of property taxes fall on the shoulders of homeowners because Montana no longer has timber mills and coal companies paying a share of taxes.
Attendees included county commissioners Darrel Folkvord and Lyndsey Richtmyer as well as legislators Jan Gillette from House District 64, Gallatin County, and Julie Dooling, House District 70, Broadwater and Lewis & Clark Counties. County Treasurer Melissa Franks attended as well. The crowd was civil and attentive in their questions. What Beatty and his officers could not answer, the local officials did.
A good thing for Broadwater County is that it has a Department of Revenue office in the courthouse where people can go to have their property tax questions answered. It is open five days a week.
Great Falls DOR Manager Jason Boggess pointed out that property-assessed values will be forwarded to the Broadwater County treasurer who will in turn set the mills for the coming budget year. All values will be turned over by August 7. “If you feel your assessment contains wrong information, or you have removed a building since our appraisers have been around, be sure to contact the office. The office people will make an appointment to come to your house, Boggess said.
Income and property tax rebates
The good news is there will be a property tax rebate of up to $675 for those who have been in their homes for at least seven months. Montana residents who paid taxes on their primary home must apply beginning August 15 for the rebate through the DOR tap.dor.mt.gov.
Another rebate for those who paid Montana income tax will be coming in the mail beginning in July. The rebate came through the 2021 budget surplus.
Also, people who qualify, including disabled veterans, are encouraged to apply for property tax assistance. This new law was passed by the 2022 Legislature.
Retiree Mike Richter commented on the public meeting. “I thought it was a good meeting. The representatives handled it well by trying to answer our questions. For me, it cleared up the property rebate question. I was glad to see so many of our county officials at the meeting,” he said.
Article Images
Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
PhotoCredit: Photo Credits: Nancy Marks
Image 1 Caption: More than 70 people at each meeting gathered to ask questions of the Department of Revenue officials.
Photo Credits: Nancy Marks
Image 2 Caption: Great Falls Region 2 Manager Jason Boggness spoke at both meetings held at the Community Library Room.
Photo Credits: Nancy Marks
