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In unofficial results from the November 5 election, voters in Gallatin County overwhelmingly rejected a proposed increase to the local option motor vehicle tax.
In the latest update by the Gallatin County Elections Department on November 6 at 10:13 a.m.., the measure that would increase the current tax from .5% to .7% is failing by a vote of 33,128 to 16,861.
Earlier this year, officials said about 70% of the tax generated goes to support 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% is distributed based on population to incorporated cities and towns, including Three Forks.
The .5% tax generated $11.26 million during the last fiscal year. At .7%, it would have generated an additional $4.5 million.
According to county officials, if the increase were successful, the county’s portion of the additional revenue would be dedicated to road infrastructure.
In other unofficial election results, incumbent Democrat Gallatin County Commissioner Scott MacFarlane (District 3) will likely be reelected. According to the latest update, MacFarlane is leading Republican David Dickey, 24,428 to 21,596.
