FAST FACTS

• Voters in Missoula County will have an opportunity to vote on a $1.8 million infrastructure levy on the November 4, 2025 ballot.
• The levy will cost about $2 a month for the average homeowner in Missoula County (for a home with an assessed market value of $600,000).
• The infrastructure upgrades will improve safety and access for first responders to serve residents of Missoula County.
• The levy will allow the county to apply for grants that require matching funds, expanding the impact of the funds.

THE NEED

Missoula County maintains approximately 451 miles of road, 132 bridges, approximately 528 storm drain inlets, and 337 culverts. Several major bridges in Missoula County were first constructed in the mid-1900’s.  Many people also don’t know that the County is responsible for also maintaining all bridges within the City limits that are longer than 20 feet.

Having been in service for the better part of 75 years, these bridges are variously suffering from cracked support beams, eroding cement, exposed rebar, and failing components.

CURRENT FUNDING

Most of the large-scale infrastructure that the county owns came about because of cost-sharing grants or programs with the state or federal governments. While those funds could be used to build new infrastructure as Missoula County has grown, there are no corresponding funds for ongoing repairs and maintenance. 

Building materials and labor have experienced steep cost increases in the last several years. The primary source of revenue for the county to conduct infrastructure repairs is the fuel tax, which has remained largely unchanged.

With a cap on funds available to the county, it’s been impossible to keep pace with the increasing costs of maintenance. The county has worked with experts to prioritize the most critical infrastructure needs first to keep residents safe. But action is needed to stop additional deferred maintenance.

WHY A LEVY?

Missoula County Commissioners are well aware of the burden of residential property taxes and have pursued other strategies to gather revenue for infrastructure. But, in Montana, one of the only ways to fund local infrastructure projects is through voter passage of bonds and mill levies.

With the legislature passing property tax relief in the 2025 session, many families will experience a decline in property taxes even if their property valuation has gone up and even if this levy passes. 

The actual cost of infrastructure needs is about $4.5 mil per year. Missoula County currently has about $500k available per year for infrastructure maintenance, which is primarily used for maintenance materials.

With the passage of a $1.8 mil levy, the county will have $2.3 mil in funds available per year and, importantly, they will have the opportunity to apply for matching grants. Passing an infrastructure levy with local support unlocks millions in federal and state grant money allocated with bipartisan support.