Yellowstone County adopts FY2023–24 budget and amends grant budgets after public hearing

The Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt the fiscal year 2023–24 budget and set special district levies, and separately approved amendments to FY23 and FY23–24 grant budgets, following a continuation of a public hearing from the prior week.

Commissioner Jones moved to approve Resolution 23-82 to adopt the FY2023–24 budget and set special district levies as presented; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioner Morris then moved to approve Resolution 23-93, which amends the FY23 regular budget and the FY23–24 grant budgets for federal and state grants; that motion was also seconded and approved by voice vote.

The hearing included public comment from Steve Arvaskow, executive director of Big Sky Economic Development, who thanked the commissioners and Yellowstone County taxpayers for continued mill-levy funding. "That funding that we get from Yellowstone County taxpayers is about 40% — just a little shy of 40% of our overall operating budget," Arvaskow said, adding the support allows the organization to focus on supporting existing businesses, recruiting new businesses and community development.

A long-time resident, Jim Gramsberry, urged caution about levy impacts tied to property valuation increases. Gramsberry reviewed the history of the 1986 statewide reappraisal and said Yellowstone County's readjustment will be about 7.85%. He urged local taxing jurisdictions to lower levies proportionately to avoid what he described as a "windfall" from increased valuations.

Board members thanked staff for their work on the budgets and closed the public hearing before taking the motions. The approvals were taken by voice vote without a roll-call tally recorded in the public transcript. Commissioners said they will continue routine budget oversight and thanked staff for their efforts.

Other routine business during the meeting included acknowledgement of two bids for a West End Billings neighborhood plan, which the board moved to send to staff for recommendation, approval of claims on the docket and approval of the consent agenda.