Today in Helena

Government

Great Falls Passes $169 Million Budget With Tax Hike and Dip Into Reserves — A Pattern Helena Residents Should Watch

The Great Falls City Commission passed a $169 million budget for fiscal year 2027 on Tuesday, approving property tax increases that will add roughly $61 to the annual bill for a home assessed at $600,000. The budget also draws $631,732 from general fund reserves to cover operating expenses — a practice city commissioners acknowledged has been chipping away at the reserve balance for several years running.