Rae Grulkowski Cascade County Commissioner 2022-2024

06/06/2026

For years the County has rented w**d sprayers to the public. These are the large sprayers you haul in your pick up truck.

$20 a Day - WOW!

06/04/2026

Account 223.400 – Protest Tax Deferred Revenue

According to county budgeting documents, Account #223.400 is designated as "Protest Tax Deferred Revenue." This account is intended to hold tax payments submitted under protest.

In January 2025, seven citizens filed protests regarding the 45% Solid Waste District Assessment increase. As documented in the attached letter, those protests have not yet been acknowledged, and the attached 2025 year-end Trial Balance Report does not appear to show any funds being held in Account #223.400.

We encourage citizens to review the attached documents and decide for themselves:

Can you find Account #223.400 showing the protested funds being held as required?

Transparency, accountability, and attention to public concerns are essential responsibilities of elected officials. When elected officials fail to act, taxpayers bear the consequences.

ELECT RESPONSIBLE LEADERSHIP

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

https://www.cascadecountymt.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/126

DATE:                     June 1, 2026CONTACT:   Les Payne, Public Works Director (406) 454-6920 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE :

05/31/2026

These photos were taken on 5-23-2026 and show the ballot drop box at the front door of the County Annex building. The doors were locked and if there were any election judges present, they certainly were not in clear view. There are also no apparent video surveillance cameras present.

Look at what Montana Law has to say about ballot drop boxes. MCA 113-19-307 (5)

https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0130/chapter_0190/part_0030/section_0070/0130-0190-0030-0070.html

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05/31/2026

COUNTY LIBRARY FUNDING ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK

This meeting posting raises serious transparency concerns. No agenda was attached, and there was no opportunity for public comment. The meeting was attended by all three County Commissioners along with the County Attorney’s Office.

At that meeting, Commissioners announced that all County Library funding would be eliminated by FY 2027–28.

Over the past several fiscal years, library revenue through property tax mill fluctuation has been as follows:

FY 2022/23 – 3.55 mills = $270,847 collected through property taxes
FY 2023/24 – 3.33 mills = $285,232 collected through property taxes
FY 2024/25 – 3.83 mills = $330,150 collected through property taxes
FY 2025/26 – 3.12 mills = $249,525 collected through property taxes

In addition to mill levies, our Library fund also receives revenue from personal property taxes, entitlement funding, and permissive levies.

Despite this variation in mill revenue, historic expenditures for the same period have remained relatively stable, fluctuating between approximately $280,000 and $290,000 annually.

The County participates in funding our County libraries as follows:

$51,000 annually to the Town of Belt Library by contract
$19,000 annually to the Town of Cascade Library, plus the cost of the Library Director and one substitute, by contract
$177,000 annually to the Great Falls Public Library, with no formal contract currently in place

These figures raise a basic governance question: How does a relatively stable, multi-source funding structure justify a complete phase-out of county library support?

The decision to eliminate library funding appears to be proceeding without meaningful public process. This, of course, intensifies concerns about transparency and constitutional rights of the taxpayer.

What remains unclear is the justification for eliminating countywide library funding and the lack of a public explanation of the rationale behind this decision. Similar concerns have been raised in the past regarding other family-oriented services, including the Extension Office.

Do you have comments? Attend the next recorded County Commissioner meeting and speak on public record.

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05/20/2026

When an elected official in Montana retires, resigns or is removed from Office prior to their elected term ending, State Law outlines a process to appoint the new Official to fill the seat until the next General Election.

Your Board of County Commissioners is the governing body given the authority to make those appointments. Read about it here.

Now that you know the power vested to your elected County Commissioner, Elect Sensible Officials.

05/19/2026

The board of trustees will vote on this tomorrow at 7pm, and is open to the public! Thank you for your continued support, we have the best community and appreciate everyone!