The Montana Department of Revenue completed its annual requirement to certify taxable values of property in each county across the state.

The results were released on August 2, and local governments establish their budgets and set their mill levies for property tax calculations and collections based on the certified taxable values in each taxing jurisdiction.

The values included in the certification include mobile homes, business equipment, real property, and centrally assessed properties. This year, all certified taxable values are available online at property.mt.gov/cov.

Property tax collections are the primary revenue source for public services such as police and fire protection, schools, roads and bridges, and health and social services.

This year’s county wide levies taxable value is $11,113,920 compared to last year which was $9,569,724. An increase of $1,549,196.

Despite the increase, Mineral County Commissioner, Roman Zylawy, said the county still needs to find an additional $120,000 in order to balance the county’s budget.

“Currently, we have been able to cut $75,000 from the entire county budget,” he said after a week of budget meetings. For example, they have cut replacing a roof on one of the buildings, and they have held off buying a new car. He said they need to build up the cash reserve fund. Ideally, the fund should be at 33 percent and it is now depleted.

The reserve fund will be used in case of a budget shortfall. For example, if a company protest the tax increase, they can protest it. If this happens, they will not pay anything until the case is settled. Leaving the county short of funds.

“That’s why we need those reserve funds,” explained Zylawy. “We are trying to get ten percent this year, and then add another ten percent next year, until we can get up to where it should be.”