Big Sky, Montana – February 3, 2025 – The Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD) proudly supports a forthcoming Senate Bill 260, introduced by Senator Greg Hertz (R) in the 2025 Montana Legislative Session. The bill addresses geographic inaccessibility within service district boundaries, ensuring that tax dollars align with accessible services.
A foundational right of Americans is representation in taxation—yet outdated district boundaries in Big Sky have left many taxpayers without a voice in the decisions shaping their community. Despite being a vital contributor to Montana’s economy, generating 8% of the state’s taxable value and $2.6 billion in statewide economic impact while supporting nearly 26,000 jobs, Big Sky’s 3,795 residents remain voiceless, especially the 573 living in Madison County. Many locals pay taxes for education and healthcare services they cannot reasonably access without over a 90-minute drive passing multiple local service providers. Compounding the issue, some district boundaries date back over 70 years, long before Big Sky became the community it is today. This outdated system leaves residents underserved and excluded from decisions that directly impact them.
Why This Legislation Matters
SB260 ensures fairness for voters and taxpayers by allowing locally-driven changes to service district boundaries. The bill also:
- Provides a process for residents to petition for boundary changes when geographic barriers limit access to services.
- Aligns taxpayer dollars with accessible services, improving efficiency and maximizing resources.
- Maintains equitable contributions requiring taxpayers leaving one district to join another of the same purpose.
Supporting Voices
Sponsor Senator Greg Hertz (R): “The Service Districts Bill is about building trust in Montana’s taxation system. It ensures fairness for rural and resort communities while aligning resources with local access.”
Cosponsor Senator Cora Neumann (D): “One in three workers in Gallatin County is connected to Big Sky a community that generates 4% of the statewide GDP. This legislation ensures that the families of these workers, who drive so much of our local and state economy, can access the services they support through their taxes.”
Big Sky Parent Heather Morris: “This bill is vital for growing communities like Big Sky. We have a local hospital and school but pay for the same services in a community we cannot reasonably access. I’m happy to pay taxes but believe that every resident should have a voice in shaping their schools and healthcare systems. This bill will help me to vote for the elected leaders in the school our four children attend.”
BSRAD Chair Kevin Germain: “Big Sky takes pride in our Madison County heritage. This bill is not designed to sever that connection but instead focus on supporting locals in need of accessible healthcare and education.”
Together, we can align Montana’s services with the needs of its growing communities, creating a stronger, more connected state for everyone. Supporters of SB260 should contact your legislators and advocate for fairness in service district taxation.
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Contact: Daniel Bierschwale – 406.224.0508, daniel@resorttax.org