Montana To Receive More Than $35 Million In PILT Funding
Montana counties will receive more than $35 million in Payment In Lieu of Taxes funds in 2020 to provide critical law enforcement and infrastructure priorities.
Area counties receiving funding include Blaine, $1,089,561, 451,750 acres; Dawson, $25,564, 63,960 acres; Mc-Cone, $313,662, 274,070 acres; Phillips, $550,530, 1,377,372 acres; Prairie, $171,663, 429,486 acres; Richland, $21,665, 54,206 acres; Roosevelt, $1,713, 4,284 acres; Sheridan, $711, 1,781 acres; Valley, $1,116,033, 1,122,357 acres.
“Montana counties rely on PILT funding to balance their budgets and provide critical services,” Sen. Jon Tester said. “As local government coffers take a hit during this pandemic, these funds are even more important, and will help counties rebuild schools, plow roads, and hire the law enforcement officers they need to keep their communities thriving.”
PILT makes payments to counties with large amounts of untaxable federal land for services like law enforcement, mental health programs, and libraries. Tester secured $515.7 million in funding for PILT in last year’s government funding bill and has called on Senate leadership to end startand- stop payments and find a long-term solution for PILT to continue providing certainty for rural counties that depend on it.
“Hardworking Montanans pay taxes to fund roads, schools, and public safety. As Montana’s largest landowner, the federal government must keep its commitment to our communities that rely on Payment In Lieu of Taxes. Today’s announcement promises the federal government will honor its obligation and give our communities the certainty they need to plan and make needed investments,” said Congressman Greg Gianforte.
“Far too often our rural communities are pushed aside and not given the resources they need,” Senator Steve Daines said. “These PILT payments deliver critical services to folks in rural Montana, and I’m glad to introduce this important legislation to increase those resources in Montana’s small counties.”
