Department of Revenue Convenes Local Government Advisory Council

In an effort to enhance the working relationship that the Department of Revenue has with local government officials, Revenue Department Director Mike Kadas has convened the Local Government Advisory Council. The group’s initial meeting will be held on Monday, April 7, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Mitchell Building, 125 North Roberts, in Helena.

The Advisory Council will provide recommendations to Director Kadas and the Department of Revenue for how the department can better serve Montana’s communities. Issues the council may tackle include departmental communications with local governments, shared revenue sources, annual certification of taxable values, newly taxable property and so on.

“It’s important that the department hear from the communities we serve and make sure we’re doing all we can to enhance our work there,” Kadas says. “The members of the Advisory Council all have insight into what makes their communities and local governments tick. That kind of knowledge is invaluable to the department.”

The Advisory Council consists of 11 people recommended by Director Kadas and appointed by Governor Bullock. They all have proven expertise over issues regarding governance, taxation, finance and budgets in local governments, schools, and tribes.

Those 11 include Carol Brooker, Sanders County Commissioner; Kim Buchanan is Treasurer of Gallatin County; Greg Chilcott, Ravalli County Commissioner; Paulette DeHart is Treasurer of Lewis and Clark County ; Jerry Jimison, Mayor of Glendive; Doug Kaercher, Finance Director/City Clerk of Havre; Carole Lankford, Tribal Council Vice Chair of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes; Donnie McVee, Business Manager of Laurel School District #7-70; Betty Romo, Roosevelt County Treasurer; Christina Volek, Billings City Administrator; and Jason Wiener, Missoula City Councilman.

The Advisory Council’s term will last for two years.

For more information, visit revenue.mt.gov/home/committees and click on “Local Government Advisory Council.” To sign up to receive notifications from the Advisory Council, please sign up online at revenue.mt.gov/home/committees/advisorycouncil-signup.