By Michael Howell
The Ravalli county Commissioners voted unanimously on Monday, February 8, to place a one mill levy on the June Primary ballot to fund the Bitterroot Valley Historical Society’s (BVHS) operation of the Ravalli County Museum. The one mill levy is estimated to raise about $74,000 annually. A homeowner with a home valued at $100,000 would see an increase of $1.35 per year in taxes. A homeowner with a home valued at $200,000 would see a tax increase of $2.70 per year.
BVHS Board Chairman Brett Calder said that the money raised by the mill levy would go to provide permanent partial funding for museum operations. It would be used to fund educational exhibits, programs and activities; to purchase supplies and equipment; for applying and acquiring technology for preservation of artifacts; for wages to ensure staff retention; and for further developing the museum’s ability to share archived material with other museums and the public.
Calder said that the BVHS board was not looking to give up fundraising but to provide a stable sustainable operation that can survive without depleting its reserve funds. The museum operations have been supported in recent years by steady depletion of the reserve account. Calder said that the museum brings in over $50,000 annually in grants and the board would still be seeking that kind of funding, but much of that is one time grants.
“That’s a dicey way to count on future funding,” he said.
Commissioner Doug Schallenberger said he supported placing the question on the ballot.
“We live in a historical valley,” said Schallenberger. “History is important. People voted to preserve the building. I’d like to see if they support the activities that go along with it.”
Other commissioners expressed some concerns but all agreed in the end to place the matter on the June 7 primary ballot.
