We provide various resources for counties, including documents to help with the annual budgeting process, federal payments, survey results, and more.
MACo Resources
- Acronyms Commonly Used by MACo
– Alphabet Soup: Government Acronym Guide (This document is geared toward federal acronyms.) - ARPA – American Rescue Plan Act
– Local Assistance & Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF)
– State & Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (SLFRF) - Available for Purchase
– Directory of County Officials
– County Identification Cards
– Name Badges - Broadband Resources
- Contact Us
- Election Resources
- Inmate Medical Program
- MACo Policy Committees
- MACo Risk Sharing Services
- MACo General Counsel Services
- MACo & LGC Townhalls (Videos)
- MACo & MLCT Land Use Training & Updates (Videos)
- MACo Travel Expense Voucher
- Opioid Settlements Toolkit
- Calculate Your Mileage
- Travel Reimbursement Rates
- Model Personnel Policies, Job Descriptions & Manual
- So You Want to be a County Commissioner
General Information For & About Counties
Montana’s Counties
Administration
Property Taxes in Montana
Transportation Information & Road Law
Budget Resources
- BARS Chart of Accounts
- MT DOA Local Government Services
– County Budget Document (DOA)
– Reported County & City Budgets & Annual Reports (DOA)
– The Basics of County Finance, Accounting & Budgeting (Presentation from Elected Official Training) - Consumer Price Index (CPI)
- County Classifications (2007-2011)
County Classification was repealed by HB 212 in the 2011 Legislature and is no longer used for any purpose. In most cases that county classifications were used for some purpose, the counties’ taxable values have replaced the classification system. - County Debt Limit
- County Fuel Tax History, Mileage & Allocations
– Bridge and Road Safety and Accountability Act
(The BaRSAA restricted account was repealed June 30, 2023. The remaining funds are to be distributed in September 1, 2023.) - County Jail Per Diem Worksheet
– Memo/Additional Information - County Local Option Vehicle Tax
- Entitlement Share
- Intercap Loan Program
- Salary Information
– County Elected Officials Salary Surveys
– County Positions Salary Survey
– Sheriff & Deputy Salary Determination Worksheet (2008) & Explanation of Calculations
– County Attorneys Salaries Legislative History - Taxable Values
- County & City Certified Taxable Values Website (DOR)
- Financial Assistance Programs
Available to fund water, wastewater, and solid waste projects in Montana
Calculation Forms
Federal Payments
- Federal Forest Payments & SRS
– Federal Forest Payments & History
– Fund Distribution Worksheet
– 2006 Loss Charts
– FFY 1984-1999 Federal Forest Payments History
– Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) - Federal Mineral Royalty Payments & History
- Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT)
– PILT Payments & History
– PILT Program Presentation
– Official PILT Website
– MACo White Paper: PILT & Prior Year Payments
White Papers
- Advocacy
– Political Activity for Public Officials (White Paper)
– Political Activity for County Employees & Public Officials (Fact Sheet) - County Disposal of Real and Personal Property
- Drug & Alcohol Use in the Workplace
- Marijuana & Local Government
- Public Meetings
– Open Meetings & Public Participation (White Paper)
– Recording Open Meetings (White Paper) - Opioid Settlement
– Access Toolkit Here - PILT & Prior Year Payments
- Procurement
- Tax Increment Financing Calculations
- Weapons in Public Buildings
Regulations & Model Resolutions
- ARPA – American Rescue Plan Act
- Agricultural Covenant Exemptions & Template for Compliance
- Airport Affected Area Regulations
- Disaster Declaration & Emergency Proclamation
– Guide for Using Model Proclamation & Declaration (below)
– Model Resolution for Disaster Declaration
– Model Resolution for Emergency Proclamation - Montana Subdivisions & Surveying
– Laws/Regulations
– Guidance: New Requirements for Conditions of Approval for Subdivisions (SB 174 – 2021 Legislative Session)
– 2021 Land Use Statutes - Nonpartisan Election Ordinance Samples
– Long Version
– Short Version - SB 35, Generally Revise School Safety Laws (2019 Legislative Session)
– Information
– Commission Responsibilities & Sample Letter
– Sample Resolution - SB 332, Require Property Tax Increase Information to be Included in Budget Discussions (2023 Legislative Session)
– Determination of Proposed Increase in Property Tax Revenue Form
– Budget Resolution - Special Districts Statutory Authority (2021)
NACo Resources
- National Association of Counties
- County Explorer
- NACo Live Healthy U.S. Counties Program (Prescription, Health & Dental Discount Program)
- NACo Deferred Comp Program (Nationwide Retirement Solutions)
- NACo Purchasing Program (U.S. Communities)
Other Resources (Associations, Congressional Delegation, State)
Montana Associations
- Montana Association of Planners (MAP)
- Montana County Attorneys’ Association (MCAA)
- Montana League of Cities & Towns (MLCT)
- Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority (MMIA)
- Montana Newspaper Association (MNA)
- Montana Public Health Association (MPHA)
- Montana Sheriffs & Peace Officers Association (MSPOA)
- Montana Taxpayers Association (MTA)
- Montana Weed Control Association (MWCA)
Montana Members of Congress
State of Montana
- State of Montana
- Attorney General’s Opinions (1993-present)
– Archive – AG Opinions (1899-1992) - Election & Candidate Information
- Montana Secretary of State
- Local Government Records & Retention Schedule
- Local Government Services Bureau
- Montana Local Government Center (MSU)
– Montana Local Government Board Handbook: A Guide to Serving on Boards, Districts, Commissions and Committee - Montana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP)
- Montana State Library
– Library.Next