by Travis Mateer
What scapegoats are being used to deflect local anger away from the reality of a Democrat-led economic malaise? According to the Missoula Current’s reporting, Mayor Davis used “inflation and priorities” as the factors creating a “structural imbalance” compelling our elected officials to raise taxes. And, of course, the state of Montana is also partially blamed for the tax increase. From the link (emphasis mine):
Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis on Monday said “inflation and priorities” continue to outpace the city’s ability to generate new revenue, creating a structural imbalance that will require an ongoing evaluation of services and new revenue tools.
Others said the state’s tax system was fundamentally broken and has shifted the cost of essential services squarely onto property owners while industry and corporations enjoy deep tax cuts and the state overlooks other revenue sources, including Montana’s vast tourism industry.
The criticism of emergency mills and tax levies supposedly required to maintain emergency services and expand homeless programs don’t receive much attention from legacy media, but on social media it’s a different story. Here are some comments I ran across this morning that I think are worth sharing:
Yep, locals are aware of Tax Increment Financing and some of them don’t let our local officials get away with the condescending bullshit shoveled into their faces by Councilors like Gwen Jones. Anytime I see valid criticism of Tax Increment Financing I think about the documentary, Engen’s Missoula, that I helped make in order to elevate the TIF topic here in Zoom Town. Success!
While the new Missoulian editor, Skiggy, tells readers paying the subscription fee why local journalism is best when it’s a two-way street, other media outlets can’t seem to accurately report HOW MUCH the tax increase will be.
Is the tax increase 11%, as reported by the Missoula Current?
The new budget includes a 5.8% tax increase. When the fire levy is added, it brings this year’s city tax increase to more than 11% – not including any increases brought by the county, schools or the state.
Or is it 16%, as reported by NBC Montana?
Missoula City Council approved a new city budget for 2025 on Monday. The new budget will add a 16% increase in property taxes for Missoula residents.
“I want to say this budget focused on maintaining core services and community priorities,” Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis said.
Good job, local media! No wonder I rely on social media so much to ascertain what’s REALLY going on in this community.
If you appreciate MY contribution to the task of figuring out what’s really going on in this community, then please consider donating to Travis’ Impact Fund (TIF). Any little bit helps.
Thanks for reading!