Resolution 26-41 - Yellowstone County Detention Facility Expansion and Renovation

The Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners has passed a resolution to refer this ballot measure to the voters. If approved, the measure would authorize a levy of approximately 43.35 mills to generate $20 million annually to fund public safety services, including operating and capital costs of the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office and related public safety expenses, with the levy to be subject to inflation pursuant to MCA 15-10-420(1)(a). Implementation of this levy is contingent upon both voter approval and the passage of a separate, contemporaneous general obligation bond election question to fund the renovation and expansion of the detention facility. Shall Yellowstone County, Montana (the “County”) be authorized to permanently levy approximately 43.35 mills, to generate $20 million annually, subject to 15-10-420(1)(a), MCA, for the purpose of paying costs of public safety services, including operating and capital costs of the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office and related public safety expenses, provided that the Detention Facility will be expanded only if the voters also approve the separate general obligation bond? The bond and the operations levy are two separate ballot questions with two separate mill rates. If approved, the estimated annual tax increase beginning in taxable year 2027 would be: Home Value — Bond — Construction (20-yr) Levy — Operations (Permanent) $100,000 — $21 — $33 $300,000 (Billings median) — $64 — $99 $600,000 — $136 — $211