CFAC's taxable value dropped like a rock

The top property taxpayers in School District 6 this year is Weyerhaeuser, according to an analysis by district clerk Dustin Zuffelato.

The report shows that in 2015, the company, which was then Plum Creek Timber Co., had a taxable value of $2.234 million. In 2016, as of Jan. 1, the taxable value had bumped up to $2.4 million.

But that value will surely go down next year, as Weyerhaeuser shut down the dimension lumber and plywood plant late this summer. Also, by Dec. 31 the company’s administrative offices, known as the cedar palace, will be empty as well.

The company has yet to make a decision on the two mills or the cedar palace at this point.

Another interesting facet is the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Since it’s been shut down, the taxable value has dropped dramatically. In 1996, when the plant was running, it was had a taxable value of more than $4 million and was the largest taxpayer in the district. Today, its taxable value is about $114,000 it doesn’t make the top 10 and would probably not make the top 20, Zuffelato noted.

Other top taxpayers include (2016 valuation percentage increase from 2015 in parenthesis):

2. Flathead Electric, $1.135 million (2)

3. Burlington Northern Railway, $826,909 (63)

4. Northwest Energy, $635,964 (10)

5. F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber, $591,147 (-2)

6. Meadow Lake Resort, $452,669 (-1)

7. Century Tel $336,747 (20)

8. Charter/Bresnan/AT&T (4)

9. Skywest/Delta $217,414 (32)

10. Verizon $166,754 (-2)