Collected and spent
In 2022, Lewis and Clark County spent about $69.1M. This is a Census of Governments estimate across all of its funds.
Spent
$69.1M
Fiscal year 2022 · Census of Governments estimate, all funds · spending
Where the money comes from
One tax.
Property tax
171.51 mills
Source · Montana county-certified 2024 levy documents, Lewis and Clark 2024 property tax. Read on July 23, 2026.
Details
Lewis and Clark 2024 property tax — county-government levy derived from an official 2024 Lewis and Clark County tax statement (Helena tax code 293; components sum to the printed 692.37 district total exactly). Single-source derived — held modeled. Mills apply to taxable value = market × the statutory 1.35% class-4 residential rate (§15-6-134 MCA, 2024 codification; value above $1.5M carries the 1.89% surcharge tier)Where it goes
Eight service lines.
Police
$22.1M
Public works
$12.1M
Other
$11.2M
Health and human services
$9.3M
General government
$6.9M
Courts
$5.6M
Parks and recreation
$1.6M
Debt service · past obligation
$0.4M
Bars in both tables share one scale. Hatched lines pay for past obligations, not current services.
Source · 2022 Census of Governments - Estimated service split source. Read on October 20, 2026.
Who decides
Each year the Board adopts the final budget by resolution. It later fixes the tax levy for each taxing district in the county. The budget takes effect July 1. 3 Commissioners, each from a district but elected by all county voters.
Tom Rolfe
Commissioner, at large
Next election
November 3, 2026
Andy Hunthausen
Commissioner, at large
Term end not published
Re-check by November 3, 2026
Candace Payne
Commissioner, at large
Next election
November 7, 2028
Source · State of Montana, MCA 7-6-4030(3)-(4), final budget. Read on October 10, 2026.
Details
MCA 7-6-4030(3)-(4), final budget; 7-6-4036(1), fixing tax levy (Local Government Budget Act; the Board is the county's governing body, 7-6-4002(1)) (read 2026-10-10)When decisions happen
The Board votes on the final budget. It starts on July 1, even if the vote comes later.
Each yearThe county budget year runs July 1 to June 30.
November 3, 2026Election for one seat
How to reach it
Lewis and Clark County main line
Phone
Lewis and Clark County, 316 N. Park Avenue, Helena, MT 59623
Mailing address
Source · State of Montana, MCA 7-6-610, fiscal year for local governments. Read on October 10, 2026.
Details
MCA 7-6-610, fiscal year for local governments; 7-6-4030(4), budget resolution effective July 1 (read 2026-10-10)Also on this tax bill
A Lewis and Clark County address pays these governments too. Which school districts and cities apply depends on the address.
On every bill in Lewis and Clark County
On some bills, depending on the address
School districts: 9
Helena High School DistrictNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Augusta High School DistrictNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Augusta Elementary School DistrictNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Wolf Creek Elementary School DistrictNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Lincoln K-12 SchoolsNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Helena Elementary School DistrictSchool districtTrinity Elementary School DistrictNot in Who Taxes Me yet
East Helena K-12Not in Who Taxes Me yet
Auchard Creek Elementary School DistrictNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Cities: 4
Helena Valley NortheastNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Helena Valley West CentralNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Helena Valley SoutheastNot in Who Taxes Me yet
LincolnNot in Who Taxes Me yet
Sources
Spent
2022 Census of Governments - Estimated service split source. Read on October 20, 2026.
Taxes
Montana county-certified 2024 levy documents, Lewis and Clark 2024 property tax. Read on July 23, 2026.
Details
Lewis and Clark 2024 property tax — county-government levy derived from an official 2024 Lewis and Clark County tax statement (Helena tax code 293; components sum to the printed 692.37 district total exactly). Single-source derived — held modeled. Mills apply to taxable value = market × the statutory 1.35% class-4 residential rate (§15-6-134 MCA, 2024 codification; value above $1.5M carries the 1.89% surcharge tier)Who decides
State of Montana, MCA 7-6-4030(3)-(4), final budget. Read on October 10, 2026.
Details
MCA 7-6-4030(3)-(4), final budget; 7-6-4036(1), fixing tax levy (Local Government Budget Act; the Board is the county's governing body, 7-6-4002(1)) (read 2026-10-10)When decisions happen
State of Montana, MCA 7-6-610, fiscal year for local governments. Read on October 10, 2026.
Details
MCA 7-6-610, fiscal year for local governments; 7-6-4030(4), budget resolution effective July 1 (read 2026-10-10)How to reach it
Lewis and Clark County, Lewis and Clark County home page, site footer. Read on October 10, 2026.
Details
Lewis and Clark County home page, site footer (read in the browser pane) (read 2026-10-10)What it does
2022 Census of Governments - Estimated service split source. Read on October 13, 2026.
To act on what you have read
Who Taxes Me describes. These three tools, made by the same team, are where you can do something about it. Each opens in a new tab.
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