Montana’s Surging Prop. Taxes: Are They Affecting Butte?

BUTTE, MT - Montana, its policies, and its leadership are never absolved from scrutiny. As more and more people from all across the globe continue to move to our state, more and more residents here in the state are witnessing changes unfolding in the very fabric of Montanan culture. Some changes appear to be making things better (at least for the population situation many Montanans find themselves in), some changes appear to be making things worse, and some are just downright expensive.

Homeowners across the state of Montana—with those in Butte bearing no exception—are trying to figure out what to do with the surging price tag of property taxes this year. It comes at a time where Montanans, especially us living here in Butte, are facing challenges such as rising taxes and repercussions of nationwide economic anxiety, with 84% of the U.S. saying they're worried about the economy. Basically, as Montana's property taxes rise, so does homeowner anxiety.

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Here in Butte, which we all know is a town rich with mining history and has roots in blue-collar professions, the property tax increases are more than just numbers on a paper. They're a direct hit to household budgets that are already being stretched to their limits by local economic trends and the overall cost of living, which some expect to be rising here soon. But the property tax increases, as reported by KXLF Montana, are measured to be anywhere from 11% to a whopping 62%, with some saying a rising Montana population is to blame.

The entirety of the situation seems to be bringing to light criticism and questions involving property tax assessment and the mechanisms that have led to these developing disparities. What does this mean for Butte? For Montana? What do those who are on a fixed income do? Will the increases in property tax be used to fix infrastructure, improve our education, and further our advancements in public safety as they say they're supposed to do? What can be done?

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One thing is for certain. The community of Butte, known for its strong sense of justice, equity, and common humanity, will always and undoubtedly persevere, no matter what the world throws at us. When we all have each other's backs like we always do, there's no need to worry.