City Assessments
The City of Great Falls has four basic yearly assessments:
- Street Maintenance District
- Lighting Districts
- Boulevard Districts
- Park Maintenance District
The four basic districts and subsequent assessments are established and maintained based on Montana State Law. Assessment resolutions must be passed annually by the City Commission before the assessments can be placed on the property record. Resolutions are prepared and presented to the City Commission in July, August, and September of each year. Public hearings are scheduled at the first presentation and advertised in the Great Falls Tribune. Property owners wishing to speak for or against specific assessments are welcome and encouraged to attend the hearings.
Street Maintenance District
Every parcel within the city limits is assessed based on square footage for street maintenance with a square footage cap of 12,000 for residential properties and 1,000,000 for commercial properties. Every property, including undeveloped parcels, benefits from access provided by public roadways. Street Maintenance includes but is not limited to, sprinkling, graveling, oiling, chip sealing, seal coating, overlaying, treating, general cleaning, sweeping, flushing, snow and ice removal, and leaf and debris removal
Lighting Districts
Parcels benefiting from street and/or alley lights are assessed for the installation, utility cost and maintenance of the individual districts. The assessment method is square footage. The City has 27 lighting districts.
Boulevard Districts
Parcels in the boulevard district are assessed for the cost of maintaining, pruning, spraying and otherwise caring for trees in the district. The assessment method is square footage. The City has 2 boulevard districts – the General Boulevard District and the Portage Meadows District.
Park Maintenance District
Every parcel within the city limits is assessed for Park Maintenance using the taxable value of each lot or parcel of land, including improvements on the lot or parcel. The Park Maintenance District was approved by voters in 2018 for a period of 20 years for the purpose of providing services including but not limited to: maintenance, installation, construction, acquisition of land, purchases and maintenance of equipment or vehicles used; and/or any functions necessary for the management and maintenance of City-owned facilities, lands and equipment under the responsibility of the City of Great Falls Park and Recreation Department.
Contact Information
For more information about City assessments, call 406-455-8477 during regular business hours.
