BOZEMAN — The city of Bozeman is hiring a lobbyist to push for local sales taxes during the 2017 legislative session.
The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reports that local sales taxes are not currently allowed under Montana law but smaller towns or unincorporated entities can collect sales tax in the form of a local option resort tax, an option used by places like West Yellowstone, Big Sky and Whitefish. Counties are also allowed to institute voter-approved gas taxes for road upkeep.
Bozeman City Commissioner Chris Mehl says he hopes the lobbyist will sway legislators to give cities like Bozeman the ability to ask voters to approve resort-style sales taxes to help fund city projects. Now Bozeman relies on property taxes and assessments.