Flathead County increases collection of school property tax mills

Flathead County property owners will soon see increased tax bills in their mailboxes.

The county has increased the amount of state school property taxes it will collect bringing it in line with the state’s required number of mills for school equalization funding. Commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution that increases the mill levy from 77.9 to 95 for fiscal year 2024. 

The Montana Supreme Court in November ruled that counties must levy the full mills after several counties in the state decided to levy the lesser amount. Counties argued that rules limiting the amount local governments can collect should also apply to the state, but the high court found that the amount for schools is compatible with the Montana Constitution.