It is the intent of the Montana Association of Counties
to review and study current and alternative PILT formula(s) that would be
more equitable for Montana counties through collaboration between Montana’s
Congressional Delegates and Montana Counties
WHEREAS, the current PILT formula is confusing and inequitable; and
WHEREAS, “Prior year payments” have consistently affected the stability of PILT payments to counties; and
WHEREAS, PILT payments have been consistently more difficult to accurately project for local government budgeting purposes due to fluctuating Prior Year Payments; and
WHEREAS, other federal revenue sharing programs, such as Federal Mineral Royalty payments and Forest Reserve Payments under PL 106-393, that are considered as “prior year payments” for PILT calculation purposes should be supported or opposed by local government based only on the merit of that program and the true environmental and economic issues, and not on the decrease or increase of PILT payments; and,
WHEREAS, under the current PILT formula, some compensated acreage in Montana generates approximately four times more per acre than current property tax generates on “in kind private property,” while other PILT compensated acreage may only bring in as little as one half of the revenue generated by “in kind private property.”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Montana Association of Counties supports “round table” discussions between Montana’s Congressional Delegation and Montana Counties to review the current PILT formula and to propose changes to the PILT formula that would benefit Montana counties in a more equitable fashion.
SPONSOR: Districts
1, 2 and 3
RECOMMENDATION:
Do Pass
PRIORITY: High
REFERRED TO: MACo Agriculture Committee,
MACo Public Lands Committee
ADOPTED: Annual Conference, Missoula, MT
September 29, 2004