As part of an effort to align with various Montana counties advocating for statewide tax system reforms, Missoula County has nominated one of its commissioners to participate in the governor’s task force.
Commissioner Josh Slotnick, a prominent figure in advocating for tax reforms within Missoula’s government, may assume a role in shaping policy discussions when Governor Greg Gianforte’s property tax task force convenes in the coming year.
In addition to various initiatives, Slotnick played a key role in leading an endeavor in 2019 to present a local option gas tax to voters for consideration.
Although the measure successfully passed, it was subsequently invalidated when the Legislature rescinded counties’ authority to implement such a tax, despite having granted this right in the 1970s.
Slotnick Highlights Drastic Changes in Montana’s Tax Scene
More recently, Slotnick has been vocal about the substantial shift in Montana’s tax landscape over the past few decades.
He contends that there has been a notable increase in the tax burden on property owners, accompanied by a reduction in the tax obligations of major corporations.
According to figures cited by city and county officials in Missoula, residential property owners presently contribute 65% of the state’s tax burden, while corporations contribute only 42%.
This represents a complete reversal from the situation two decades ago and signals, according to officials, an unsustainable state of taxation.
In the current year, the statewide appraisal process led to an approximate 35% average increase in the assessed values of homes across the state.
Anticipating this surge, the Department of Revenue advised the Legislature to mitigate the impact by reducing the state tax rate on residential properties from 1.35% to 0.94%.
Regrettably, both the Legislature and the governor disregarded this counsel, allowing a substantial tax hike to take effect.
Nonetheless, the governor did advocate for an approximately $650 tax rebate for homeowners in both 2023 and 2024.
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