A proposed public safety mill levy and bond were both sent to Great Falls voters in November 2023. 62% of voters were not in favor of the levy while 38% were in favor. The bond vote was much closer, but it also failed to pass. 54% of voters were not in favor of the bond while 46% were in favor. 

It’s been more than 50 years since Great Falls voters have passed public safety funding – resulting in a bond that constructed our current four fire stations. Since then (1969), the footprint of our city has grown by 44% and the strain on our public safety system continues to increase. In an effort to preserve tax increases, a public safety levy to increase funding for additional personnel, fundamental resources and equipment, and training has never been passed. But after 50 years, our public safety departments (police, fire, legal, and court) are beginning to see the effects. And so is our community.

Due to the growth of our city, the natural increase in inflation, and limits on tax revenue funding that are accessible by law, a public safety levy is the only option to provide funding. The Great Falls Public Safety Levy would have cost approximately $280.11 a year for a home with an assessed market value for tax purposes of $200,000 if milled to the maximum. The mills would have provided important funding to allow fire, police, court, and legal services to adequately address the current and growing public safety needs in Great Falls.