Montana § 15-10-425 - Mill Levy Election

§ 15-10-425. Mill Levy Election

Mill levy election. (1) A county, consolidated government, incorporated city, incorporated town, school district, or other taxing entity may impose a new mill levy, increase a mill levy that is required to be submitted to the electors, or exceed the mill levy limit provided for in 15-10-420 by conducting an election as provided in this section. (2) An election pursuant to this section must be held in accordance with Title 13, chapter 1, part 4 or 5, or Title 20 for school elections, whichever is appropriate to the taxing entity. The governing body shall pass a resolution, shall amend its self-governing charter, or must receive a petition indicating an intent to impose a new levy, increase a mill levy, or exceed the current statutory mill levy provided for in 15-10-420 on the approval of a majority of the qualified electors voting in the election. (a) The resolution, charter amendment, or petition must include: (i) the specific purpose for which the additional money will be used; (ii) the specific amount of money to be raised and the approximate number of mills to be imposed; and (iii) whether the levy is permanent or the durational limit on the levy. (b) Except for a school district levy established in Title 20, the resolution, charter amendment, or petition may provide that the mill levy is subject to the provisions of 15-10-420 (1)(a). (3) Notice of the election must be prepared by the governing body and given as provided in 13-1-108 . The form of the ballot must reflect the content of the resolution or charter amendment and must include: (a) the statement that "an increase in property taxes may lead to an increase in rental costs"; and (b) a statement of the impact of the election on homes valued at $100,000, $300,000, and $600,000 in the district in terms of actual dollars in additional property taxes that would be imposed on residences with those values if the mill levy were to pass. The ballot may also include a statement of the impact of the election on homes of any other value in the district, if appropriate. (4) If the majority of voters voting on the question are in favor of the additional levy, the governing body is authorized to impose the levy in the amount specified in the resolution or charter amendment. (5) A governing body, as defined in 7-6-4002 , may reduce an approved levy in any fiscal year without losing the authority to impose in a subsequent fiscal year up to the maximum amount approved in the election. However, nothing in this subsection authorizes a governing body to impose more than the approved levy in any fiscal year or to extend the duration of the approved levy.