Decrease in Bozeman taxable values attributed to improper assessment of new construction

Earlier this month, the Bozeman City Commission was told that the city’s taxable values decreased from last year. At Tuesday’s meeting, Interim City Manager Chuck Winn gave an update on the situation.

While the city of Bozeman was expecting to see 3% growth when certified values were released by the Department of Revenue. They instead saw over a 2% decrease, which equating to a loss of more than $5 million in taxable values. Winn said that in speaking with the Montana Department of Revenue, he learned that assessors did not have enough time to identify and assess values for new construction, something that if not resolved, may have adverse effects on the city.