Flathead County budget has a modest tax increase, will fix bleachers at fairgrounds

By HEIDI DESCH 

For the Hungry Horse News

Flathead County taxpayers are expected to see a modest increase in their county tax bill.

County commissioners last week approved the final budget for fiscal year 2025 totaling $129.7 million in expenditures. Commissioners will vote on the budget at 9:15 a.m. on Aug. 29 at the Historic Courthouse, 800 S. Main St. in Kalispell. 

The budget total in fiscal year 2024 was $115.8 million.

Under the fiscal year 2025 budget, homeowners with a home valued at $100,000 should see an increase of $5.70, a home valued at $300,000 should see an increase of $17.37 and a home at $600,000 should see an increase of $34.75.  

The budget includes $119.1 million in revenue.  

A significant portion of the $10.6 million gap between expenditures and revenue is attributed to expenditures related to a regional septage facility project that the county turned over to the Lakeside County Water and Sewer District. The county previously received American Rescue Plan Act funds that are now being spent for the project.  

Continued inflation on all operational costs and materials are responsible for the remainder of the gap, according to the county.  

The budget also reflects a previously approved 3.2% cost of living increase for county employees. The increase costs about $1.3 million.    

The county budget forgoes collection of about 7 mills, which equates to $3.56 million that is not being taxed.  

The budget includes funding additional resource requests across several departments.  

The Flathead County Fairgrounds is set to receive $600,000 for the north bleacher replacement project. The budget includes additional staffing for the new Bigfork library branch and up to $125,000 to match contributions from the county library board to replace the Kalispell branch.  

The county emergency medical services budget is increasing by $166,582.  

The county is setting aside an additional $1 million for the future construction of a detention facility. That brings the total savings for the project to $13.8 million, according to the county.  

Also being saved is $50,000 for the replacement of the Conrad Complex. That project has a savings balance of $150,000.

In terms of reserves, the county’s cash reserve funds supported by property tax dollars are projected at 26.95% of the budget compared to 27.82% in fiscal year 2024.