(This article has been updated with a response to SB260 from the group Support Madison Valley.)
BIG SKY — A new bill was introduced in a Montana Senate committee this week that could resolve ongoing disputes over district boundaries between Big Sky and Ennis.
Senate Bill 260 (SB260) was introduced by state Senator Greg Hertz.
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The bill would allow residents to bypass county commissions and instead vote on such decisions to address issues like geographic barriers or lack of legal access to services.
This could help resolve boundary disputes between Big Sky and Ennis by making it easier for communities to withdraw from special districts like hospitals and school districts when services are inaccessible.
Big Sky residents have tried to leave the Madison Valley Hospital District due to limited healthcare access, but their efforts have been unsuccessful so far.
The Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD) has shown support for this bill, which it says ensures fairness for voters and taxpayers by allowing locally driven changes to service district boundaries.
BSRAD recommends supporters contact legislators and advocate for fairness in service district taxation.
The group Support Madison Valley has come out in opposition to SB260, saying in a press release the bill "would siphon critical property tax dollars away from Madison County’s schools, healthcare facilities, and essential services—resources that residents have depended on for generations."
The group said in the release that changing the district boundaries would lead to budget shortfalls and jeopardize services at Madison Valley Medical Center. Support Madison Valley also warned of a "devastating financial impact" on the Ennis School District and increased taxes for rural communities.
A hearing on SB260 in the Senate Taxation Committee is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
