Let’s rethink property tax appraisals
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No one likes property taxes. During the last reappraisal, recreational property in our area took the increases, although many areas of the state saw decreases. Legislators from the Flathead area, for more than 20 years, have had a hard time convincing the rest of the state that our system is not fair.
Property values go up and down over the six-year cycle, and it is hard to pay when your value has decreased. Our Department of Revenue will only consider repossessed or foreclosed properties in comparables if a large area has over 20 percent repos.
I had a bill draft to change this, and busy with leadership duties, I gave the bill to Rep. Reichner from Bigfork. We got it through the legislature, but the governor vetoed that one.
Every 10 years the people of Montana get a chance to vote to have a new constitutional convention. I was in favor because I really wanted this section of our constitution changed. And our laws pit homeowners against agriculture, and both of those against businesses.
Commercial property taxpayers want to know why the homestead deduction is twice that of the “comstead” deduction, especially since small business is so important to our state. The homestead deduction will be going up to nearly 50 percent.
Agricultural property is assessed at production value. Two weeks ago, Brian Campbell, local cherry grower and Monson Fruit Company representative, spoke to the Pachyderm club about the cherry orchard business.
He said that if local cherry orchards are not appraised as agriculture, there will not be any more orchards. What will we have? Subdivisions around our lake.
I have a cherry orchard. We sold the Proctor ranch and bought an agricultural piece on the lake. Not many people want to see a housing development here — especially me.
Are there things we can do? Yes. I’d like to see some of our surplus used to remove the 95 state mills that are on your property tax bill. And in future years, use some of our natural resource taxes to continue to remove these mills. That helps lower property taxes significantly for everyone.
Contact me with questions or comments. Call 849-6096 or e-mail jannataylor@montana.com. Never forget that I work for you.
