MISSOULA, Mont. — Voters can expect a new mill levy on their ballot this November. Missoula County commissioners approved the addition of a levy that looks to help with road, trail and bridge repair across the county.
If voters approve, it would add an estimated $6.75 a year for every $100,000 in assessed property value, which amounts to an estimated $33.75 a year for a home valued at $500,000.
Annually, the measure would add $1.8 million to the county’s budget. Currently, $7.6 million from property taxes, the state gas tax and other state and federal sources go to infrastructure needs.
At Thursday’s meeting, officials described how underfunded the county is when dealing with infrastructure. They highlighted four bridges in the county in critical condition and the ever-increasing need for road maintenance due to growth in Missoula.
“We need to move forward with trying to find new revenue for these road, bridge and trail projects,” said Missoula County Commissioner Dave Strohmaier. “Even as is, with the levy that’s before us, I think it’s far short of what we need.”
Public comments during the meeting pointed out that taxpayers are already stressed. But county officials noted the challenges the county has been facing.
“We’ve had some pretty public-facing ones around Maclay Bridge and some of our other bridges,” said Chris Lounsbury, the county’s chief administrative officer. “We’ve faced some challenges due to the mill cap that’s in place across the state of Montana as well as the restrictions in code that allow us only half the rate of inflation, and that has put severe pressure on our Public Works department.”
In the past, the county used state and federal funding and found success covering projects like Mullan BUILD west of Missoula, Highway 200 improvements in East Missoula and South Avenue reconstruction from Reserve to Target Range School.
During the meeting, officials laid the scope of the infrastructure they deal with.
County-only roads:
- 450 miles of maintained roads
- 264 miles of paved roads
- 186 miles of gravel roads
- 63 miles of non-maintained roads
County and city bridges:
- 61 bridges over 20 feet long
- 62 bridges under 20 feet long
- 346 culverts
Shared-use paths:
- 47 miles of trails maintained by Missoula County
If voted in, this levy would be added in 2025, fiscal year 2026.
“This is constantly what we hear about,” said Commissioner Juanita Vero. “It’s roads and bridges and potholes and dust are the things constituents complain about the most and have a right to. We’re not anywhere near able to do the maintenance that’s needed.”
Visit missoulacountyvoice.com for more information on the infrastructure mill levy.