Connect With Your Community!
Connect With Your Community!
This November, Gallatin County voters will decide on a proposed increase to the local option motor vehicle tax, which is applied when vehicles are registered. The current tax is set at 0.5%, and state law allows for an increase to as much as 0.7%.
Currently, about 70% of the revenue from this tax supports Gallatin County operations with roughly 30% going to the county's general fund, 30% going to the public safety fund, and 10 % going to road infrastructure. The remaining 30% of the revenue is distributed to the incorporated cities and towns based on population, allowing them to allocate funds according to their needs.
Last fiscal year, the tax generated $11.26 million for communities. If the rate had been 0.7%, an additional $4.5 million could have been collected.
If approved, all of the county's portion of the additional revenue from the increase would be dedicated to road infrastructure.
The increase would ensure that those benefiting from county transportation infrastructure, including out-of-state vehicle registrants, contribute to its upkeep. The additional funds would be invested in safety improvements, capacity expansion, maintaining essential transportation infrastructure Gallatin County residents depend on daily.
Commissioner Scott MacFarlane emphasized the importance of ensuring out-of-state vehicle registrations contribute fairly to the local transportation infrastructure: "Montana has become a hotspot for out-of-state vehicle registrations because it's financially advantageous. Many of these vehicles are not regularly used here yet benefit from our services. This modest tax increase helps us capture some of that financial interest and direct it toward the infrastructure our residents rely on."
This tax increase would also address Gallatin County's urgent transportation infrastructure needs, helping to keep pace with rapid development and the growing demands on our transportation system.
"As Gallatin County continues to grow, it becomes harder for local governments to maintain and improve our transportation infrastructure," said Gallatin County Commissioner Zach Brown. "Every bit of additional funding helps us meet these demands and ensure the county roads and bridges our residents rely on are safe and reliable."
Key projects prioritized by the county include upgrades to the Alaska Road corridor, improvements to intersections at East Cameron Bridge and East Valley Center roads, the Love Lane and Durston Road intersection, and Cottonwood Road corridor.
Absentee ballots will be mailed out starting Oct. 11, and must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5. Voters are reminded that late ballots postmarked by Election Day but received after 8 p.m. will not be counted. Due to a high volume of races and ballot issues, most Gallatin County voters will receive two separate sheets. It is important to return both sheets to assist the elections office in the reconciliation process.
In-person voting will be available on Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at polling locations throughout Gallatin County.
For more voting information, visit http://www.GallatinVotes.com.
