Things sure have changed. 

It was only a couple of years ago the commissioners were being pressured in some quarters, and somewhat considered themselves, taking less than the allowed 12 mills of property tax. 

Back in 2023 the county was still flush with Covid era funds and looking at a $1 billion property valuation in the county. 

The county quietly approved its 12 mill take this year in early August. There were no questions about taking less than allowed, and nobody in the audience suggesting they consider it. 

It seems most people understand the county needs what money it can get this year after a 50% long-term homeowner exemption and a 25% tax reduction reduced the revenue by a couple million dollars. 

I agree with the county taking what it can get out of the mills as, other than the cemetery districts, every special district asked for the max amount of mills allowed, as usual. While in past years that may have been more open to criticism, with less revenue from property taxes and higher prices still affecting the area, I’d say it’s warranted. 

After all, while I’ve opined in this section before about lower (or no) property taxes, I also know that there does need to be a limit to how much can be cut before needed services slip from the high standard Park County tries to enforce. 

Commissioner Scott Mangold recently mentioned how much nicer the roads are in the county compared to Montana. I want to keep it that way. While the county cut a lot of funding for nonprofit groups out of this year’s budget, which could affect some very important local organization but was necessary to balance the budget, maintenance of infrastructure is meant to be a core concern of local governments. 

I like taxes about as little as the next person, but I like good roads (and good schools) more than I dislike taxes. 

This budget year the county trimmed much of the fat from its budget, and how important that cut funding was to local groups and county departments is still being seen. But if the county has to continue cutting, as would happen drastically if the 2026 ballot measure lopping property taxes in half would do, services may wind up lower than many county residents would like to see.