Court Opinion

ID: 9893743
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-30 15:19:54.837755+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:05:21.153741
License: Public Domain

10/27/2023
            IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

                                       OP 23-0635                                          Case Number: OP 23-0635

                                   _________________

 MONTANA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES
 (MACO), MICHAEL MCGINLEY, and
 DAVID STROHMAIER,

              Petitioners,
                                                                     ORDER
       v.

 STATE OF MONTANA, and MONTANA
 DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE,

              Respondents.
                                   _________________

       Petitioners Montana Association of Counties (MACo), Michael McGinley, and
David Strohmaier seek declaratory judgment on original jurisdiction under M. R. App. P.
14(4). Petitioners argue they are entitled to declaratory judgment that declares: (1) under
§ 15-10-420, MCA, the Montana Department of Revenue (DOR) must calculate the
statewide levies codified in §§ 20-9-331, -333, -360, and 25-439, MCA, in accordance with
§ 15-10-420(1)(a), MCA; (2) § 15-10-420, MCA, does not permit DOR to force counties
to levy more or less than the calculated mills; and (3) § 15-10-420, MCA, does not permit
DOR to carry forward mills to future years.
       Having reviewed the Petition, this Court deems it appropriate to obtain a summary
response. Therefore, in accordance with M. R. App. P. 14(7),
       IT IS ORDERED that Respondents are granted until the close of business on
Monday, November 6, 2023, to prepare, file, and serve a response(s) to the petition for
declaratory judgment on original jurisdiction.
       The Clerk is directed to provide notice of this Order to counsel for all parties.

                                                                               Electronically signed by:
                                                                                     Mike McGrath
                                                                        Chief Justice, Montana Supreme Court
                                                                                   October 27 2023