Have all homeowners in Miles City received their new tax assessments for this year? According to the city, homes have doubled in value. With Sanjel relocating to Williston, Brawler laying off numerous employees, and even BNSF is moving a large portion of their Forsyth and Glendive employees to Laurel many of which reside in Miles City. Property values have already begun to decrease.
There are approximately 8,600 residents and 3,900 homes. So just say an average homes tax increases by $800 per year that would be an additional $3,120,000 that the city is collecting from us on top of what they collected last year. In my opinion all homeowners should attend the next city counsel meeting and dispute the validity of estimated property values. I plan on spending the money to have my home appraised and find out my homes actual value just as I did with the flood zoning. I would not be so reluctant to pay these additional taxes if the city would put it toward the betterment of the youth of Miles City. We all need to stand together and fight for whats right!!!!

Does the city council determine the assessed value of your property? You'd probably be barking up the wrong tree by complaining to the council.

Not sure how it works in Miles City but here in Redmond, WA, your property tax doesn't double if your assessed value doubles as long as every property within your tax district also doubled. Similarly your property tax doesn't get cut in half if your assessed value decreases by 50% as long as every property within your tax district also decreased by 50%.

In a simple example imagine there are only two homes in your tax district and the budget is $1,000.

HOME1 Assessed Value: $100,000 Tax Burden: $500
HOME2 Assessed Value: $100,000 Tax Burden: $500
Total Tax Collected: $1000

Next year both homes' assessed value doubles but the budget stays the same:

HOME1 Assessed Value: $200,000 Tax Burden: $500
HOME2 Assessed Value: $200,000 Tax Burden: $500
Total Tax Collected: $1000

The next year HOME2's value drops in half but HOME1 stays the same and the budget remains the same:

HOME1 Assessed Value: $200,000 Tax Burden: $666.67
HOME2 Assessed Value: $100,000 Tax Burden: $333.33
Total Tax Collected: $1000

Do you see how that works? The amount of tax money that must be collected is determined by the various budgets, levies, etc. The amount of tax you pay is a reflection of how much your property is worth in relation to everybody else's property value within your tax district. They only collect enough money to meet the budget. So a doubling of assessed values within a tax district does not mean the government suddenly gets twice as much money.

If you read the first part of my post it was to the people of Miles City. Not Redmond WA. Thank you

My assessed value more than doubled on both the house and the empty lots! I go up to the court house tomorrow and ask how much that will mean. I may have to start monthly payments even though my house is paid for.

OH, and the CITY has NOTHING to do with tax values. Hollering at them will make as much sense as hollering at David does. The state does the valuing. You have to protest and appeal through the county. And you need some solid facts, like a recent appraisal, to appeal.

Dave, I appreciate you sharing your knowledge about your property tax assessments in Redmond, WA. I took a look at my assessment in Miles City, and they aren't determined the same way here in Miles City. Property taxes here are a percentage of the home's value. The percentage stayed the same compared to last year. What changed is that the value of may people's houses went up substantially in the past year, apparently. My houses value went up by more than 50%. Apparently Amorette's doubled. If I were to sell my house, I don't foresee getting 50% more than I bought the house for.

Whatever you do, "pookie", don't make any effort to educate yourself on how the property tax is actually calculated. So please don't click on this link:

Montana Department of Revenue -- Property Tax Overview

David you need to worry about things in WA give it up

"Every six years, the state of Montana reappraises property assessments, updating the values upon which taxes are based. But just because the assessed value of your home tripled in the most recent reappraisal, Williams said, that doesn't mean your taxes tripled.

That's because lawmakers have worked to "stabilize" property taxes, especially for moderately priced homes.

Sure, the appraisal value may have soared, but then you must factor in the "phase-in" value established by legislators, the exemption value, the taxable market value, the taxable value and the local mill rate, all before you calculate your taxes.

"My house, which is a typical average house, doubled in assessed value," Williams said. "But my taxes only went up $10. That's pretty standard.""

SOURCE: Missoulian: Property tax appeals inundate western Montana counties; could take months to resolve

* The values shown are for the given tax year as supplied by the Department of Revenue. This value is used to calculate the property tax and is not the true market value of the property. The most recent market value is not allowed to be used by the Legislature. For questions regarding how the taxable market value is derived, please contact the Montana Department of Revenue, Appraisal/Assessment Office at 406-896-4000.

Courtesy of Yellowstone County

Thank you. Mr. Roberts very help full.

pookie wrote:

David you need to worry about things in WA give it up

You know "pookie", it's not necessary to be a butthole like that. Dave was born in MC, grew up his entire younger years there, his father and family are well known and respected, he still has family there, has helped create this site by spending countless hours transcribing historical information and helping to moderate the forums, and also has an interest in the real estate there ... and even more than that, he's one of those people that anonymously donates (even though he wouldn't admit it) to all sorts of non-profit stuff MC related.

I don't know what the deal is with some of the people who use this site, yet seem to be anti-MilesCity.com... and also against people like Dave, for example, in this thread -- who was just trying to help.

Use the site. It's for you. It's up to you what you do with it. If you think people "who are not from MC" are dominating it, then take it over. You will never be banned or anything like that for expressing your opinions or views.

There is a certain line that has to be crossed in order to get censored.

99% of the accounts that are banned on this site, are just blatant spammers from India, China, Pakistan, or wherever else.

My 2 cents.

Regards, Larry

Boy it sure does not take much to get the regulars fired up. And if you knew me i dont believe you would consider calling me a -------- but i will consider were its coming from. Have a wonder full evening Larry.

pookie wrote:

Boy it sure does not take much to get the regulars fired up. And if you knew me i dont believe you would consider calling me a -------- but i will consider were its coming from. Have a wonder full evening Larry.

(A) I'm not sure what you mean by "Boy it sure does not take much to get the regulars fired up". Could you elaborate? I'm replying to a thread that was posted 2 days ago.

(B) I'm also not sure what you mean by "if you knew me i dont believe you would consider calling me a --------"???

(C) Nor, not sure what you mean by "but i will consider were its coming from"? Are you referring to me? I won't ban you, if you've got something to say - let it be known.

???

IMO, it's pretty darn silly that some people aren't happy with a site created for their own community - which I have repeatedly posted, is your site. And to make of it what you want.

If there's some sort of issue, perhaps start a new thread so we can discuss it. Thanks!

I, of course, do not know the anonymous poster "pookie", but just from reading his/her posts in this single thread I feel more than qualified to call him/her an a------e.

You are welcome, "pookie".

Thanks, Larry. I think "pookie" was just having a bad day. I know I'd be having a bad day if I thought my property tax was about to double.

"pookie", I'm sure we'll all be curious to hear how much your property tax does go up as a result of your new assessment. Let us know, will you? I hope it's nowhere near 2x.

Thank you Larry And Gunner for proving my point on getting fired up. you. should take it easy. Getting you blood pressure up for no reason is not good for any one. i will let you know David on the out come. Your input has been very help full. THANK YOU

Not sure how anyone is "getting fired up"? You brought up a pertinent issue, and I was just asking questions about your previous response.

As an aside, the title of this thread is wildly inaccurate. Even by his or her own description, pookie describes a change in valuation, not a tax increase. The property tax rate is not changing, but the property value is being re-evaluated and updated, on its regular schedule. Ergo, the tax bill may increase or decrease correspondingly, but its not a "tax increase."

This is what I think of when I hear the word "pookie".



Just say'n.

"Pookie" was Garfield's teddy bear. Just to be clear.

I was in the assessor's office yesterday seeking clarity on the issue. Taxes are based on "mills," which are confusing, but it boils down to tax revaluation must be 'revenue neutral.' Taxes WILL go up this fall due to the new detention center but not due to the evaluations.

Which was a huge relief for yours truly.

I am working on the story today.

I am going to make a new website, this one is no good.

Again?

I am working on a story on the tax valuation issue, which is complicated. If you are really upset, talk to the county assessor's office. They may be able to help explain it and calm you down.

What the heck. I thought I went back and deleted my incorrect comment and it is still there? Yes, increased valuation can increase taxes but not by the same amount. My taxes will not be doubled because the county can't raise the mills that much.

...anyone is "getting fired up"?...

People should just chill and instead of the above quote, they should " Fire Up One..."

Brandy Allen wrote:

I am going to make a new website, this one is no good.

This is the best news I've heard in a long time. The paranoiac lunatic ravings of milescityhome.com had me ROTFL.

It'll be nothing but confederate flags and m4m solicitations. Where can I donate?

I live on a fixed income and am afraid my taxes will go up so much i can't afford it and then lose my home. My home is not worth what they want to raise it to.I do not trust the powers that be.They will raise property values now, so later they can raise our taxes later.

[Edited by kdr (7/17/2015 11:56:10 PM)]

There is a good article in last night's Miles City Star regarding this issue. It mentions that if you want a reappraisal, you must request an informal review of either the classification of the property, or the appraisal. There is a Form AB-26 that must be filled out and filed within 30 days of the DATE ON THE INITIAL APPRAISAL LETTER. My letter is dated 7/22/2015...and since the Mill Levy is not set for a couple of months, it is hard to tell whether or not there will be an increase in taxes despite the fact that the taxable value has increased???

Just know that the DATE ON YOUR LETTERS have significance if you are not satisfied.
The letter is certainly explicit that you take your TAXABLE VALUE X 2015 MILL LEVY = 2015 PROPERTY TAX AMOUNT....YET...THE MILL LEVY POSTED ON THE LETTER IS THE PRIOR YEAR MILL LEVY????????? Kind of leaves folks in a quandry with a lot of unknowns.

I would suggest you read the article in the paper if you are concerned?? It is helpful.

On the main floor of the county court house, to the right of the treasurer's office, is the appraisers office. Turn the doorknob to the left and walk in. They are THERE TO HELP YOU. Really. Very nice, very helpful.

The appraisal comes from the state and is required by the legislature to be done at regular intervals. HOWEVER, it CAN BE APPEALED. The procedure is not that bad. Really.

Go and talk to them. They are very nice people

And the doorknob is glitchy so be sure to turn it to the left.

What they pull here in North Dakota is that the legislature reduces the property tax every session. Then the cities raise the property valuations. Despite two property tax reductions my property taxes have actually gone up. When you complain to your legislators they say they cannot do anything as the city is allowed to raise property evaluation. When you complain to the city, they allow you to have it re-valuated but still don't lower it very much. They then tell you to contact your legislator to have it reduced. Total rip off.

[Edited by Tom Masa (7/18/2015 10:05:35 AM)]

Tax statements are now out and ours was shocking. I know the property values increased dramatically, but was under the impression that mills would be adjusted to keep revenue neutral. Our taxes increased 35%. The statement is such a change from the last one, it's difficult to pinpoint where the additional money is going. If our statement represents the norm, that's a huge increase in revenue for the city/county and a great hardship for many.

My house was WAY undervalued so I accepted that the increase was legit. The house went up but the separate lots we own next to the house went from $100+ to $300+. Ouch.

Mine went up on average 20.1%, what I find interesting is the valuation of my college room mate's house in Polson MT overlooking flathead lake dropped 50% while ours went up 100%. (source MTcadestral) Figure that out ?