Big Sky’s Silvertip Subdivision Denied Withdrawal from Madison Valley Hospital District in 2-1 Vote
Wednesday Jan. 15th, 2025
Petition Debated Today Included a Signature of One
Madison County, MT – After four hours of testimony and debate today, Madison County Commissioners voted 2-1 to deny a petition submitted by the Silvertip subdivision in Moonlight Basin seeking to withdraw from the Madison Valley Hospital District. The petition, requiring the signature of just one individual to meet legal requirements, aimed to redefine the district's boundaries but failed to secure majority approval.
Under Montana law, withdrawing from a hospital district requires a petition signed by at least 51% of the taxpayers residing in and owning property within the area seeking withdrawal. In the case of the Silvertip subdivision, no properties had owners who qualified to sign a petition. The County permitted a different subdivision - "Silvertip 2" subdivision - to be included in the area despite the what was identified on the petition itself. Including this area, only one individual is considered both a resident and a taxpayer within the subdivision. With one of one qualifying petitioners, the petition met legal criteria but ultimately did not gain full commissioner support.
“This decision affirms the importance of shared responsibility in supporting vital community services,” said Allen Rohrback, CEO of Madison Valley Medical Center. “The potential withdrawal of even a single subdivision threatens the stability of property tax revenue that funds essential services benefiting all of Madison County, including residents of Big Sky.”
State Senator Tony Tezak, who represents Ennis, testified at today’s hearing, emphasizing the importance of community and shared responsibility. “The hardworking people of Montana take pride in our sense of community,” said Tezak. “I am standing here today because one person signed a petition to withdraw from a hospital district simply because they don’t want their taxes to contribute to a hospital in Ennis. It’s like the tail wagging the dog. Where is our sense of shared responsibility, our sense of community, and the Montana values that we are all in this together?”
The Silvertip subdivision is predominantly owned by out-of-state, non-resident property owners. Had the petition been approved, these property owners would have reduced their tax obligations while shifting the financial burden onto other Madison County residents, jeopardizing funding for critical services.“The taxes paid by these properties are a lifeline for services that benefit everyone in Madison County,” Rohrback added. “Approving such a withdrawal would have set a dangerous precedent, enabling a very small number of non-residents to dictate the future of our community at the expense of local Montanans.”
At today’s hearing, representatives from the private Yellowstone Club Owners Association and Moonlight Basin argued that they shouldn’t have to contribute property taxes to support the Madison Valley Medical Center because they don’t personally see its benefits. This stance comes despite clear data showing utilization rates of the facility by Big Sky residents. A coordinated campaign, including sample talking points, had been circulated to Yellowstone Club property owners in advance of the hearing.
The denial of this petition serves as a temporary safeguard against similar efforts to divert millions in property tax dollars away from Madison County services. A campaign, “Support Madison Valley,” has launched to oppose ongoing withdrawal efforts, warning of the far-reaching consequences:
- Immediate budget shortfalls and operating losses for Madison Valley Medical Center (MVMC), threatening its ability to deliver essential services.
- Jeopardized healthcare access, limiting MVMC’s ability to provide vital care to residents in Big Sky and throughout Madison County.
- Higher tax rates for rural residents, as lost funding could force increased taxes on communities outside of Big Sky.
- Threatened public services, including schools, libraries, and emergency care, further weakening Madison County’s shared resources.
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