County adopts final 2020 budget

The Flathead County Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the county’s fiscal year 2020 budget during a meeting Wednesday morning, giving the final thumbs-up to $99.2 million in projected expenditures.

The county will begin with $98.5 million in revenue, an increase from the fiscal year 2019 revenue stream of $94.1 million. The majority of the revenue comes from taxes and assessments at 41.5%, followed by intergovernmental resources such as grants at 17%. The majority of property taxes come from three non-voted mill levies, including one countywide levy.

Of the $99.2 million in expenditures, which are funds spent to provide services to Flathead County citizens, public works projects — including some scheduled for the Solid Waste District — account for 24%. Tailing Public Works are expenditures for general government services at 21% and public safety services at 18%. When the fiscal year 2020 expenditures are broken down by function, 43% of the county budget is personnel services, or salary and benefits.

“The departments all did a good job putting this together,” Commissioner Phil Mitchell said.

Throughout the budgeting process, the commissioners have commended those in charge of creating the budget, emphasizing the county continues to live within its means.

Reporter Kianna Gardner can be reached at 758-4439 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com