Solutions needed for property tax relief

The frustration over Montana’s skyrocketing property taxes reached crisis status last week after the Montana Supreme Court sided with Gov. Greg Gianforte’s office in a dispute over the state’s school equalization levy.

In their ruling, the court said county governments must levy the full 95 mills requested by the state Department of Revenue. This after 49 counties — including Flathead, Lincoln and Lake — decided to collect a lower 77.9 mills in a valiant effort to keep tax bills down following draw-dropping property appraisals. 

In many cases, taxable values have doubled since the last reappraisal cycle — leaving homeowners with real anxiety about whether they can afford to stay in their homes.