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Bill

LC 1225

Require cities and counties to collect a user fee for public safety property tax mill levies

2025 Regular Session

Montana bill requiring cities and counties to impose user fees on property owners specifically for public safety services rather than general property tax funding.

(LC) Draft Died in Process
#lawenforcement(seealso:criminalprocedure) #localfinance(seealso:cityfinance;countyfinance) #localgovernment(seealso:citysubjects;countysubjects) #revenue #local #state #taxation(generally) #taxation--property
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Bill Summary · LC 1225

Legislative bill overview

LC 1225 would require Montana cities and counties to collect a user fee tied to public safety property tax mill levies. This means property owners would pay an additional fee beyond their standard property taxes, with proceeds designated for funding local police, fire, and emergency services. The bill establishes a new fee-collection mechanism rather than relying solely on traditional property tax levies.

Why is this important

Public safety funding is a critical local government function, and how it's financed affects both service quality and property owner costs. This approach would shift part of the funding burden from general property tax bases to a direct user fee model, which could change who bears the cost and how transparently those expenses are presented to taxpayers.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost shifting: User fees may disproportionately impact property owners in rural or lower-income areas where property values vary widely, raising equity concerns about who pays how much
  • Complexity and enforcement: Adding a separate fee collection system creates administrative overhead and potential confusion about what portion of bills funds which services
  • Political feasibility: Local governments may resist new mandates requiring fee collection, particularly if it complicates existing property tax processes or faces public opposition to "double taxation" perception

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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