Rae Grulkowski Cascade County Commissioner 2022-2024

09/02/2026

HEARING FOR FY2027 PROPOSED COUNTY BUDGET

The Cascade County Commissioners are holding the Final Hearing for the FY 2027 Proposed County budget on Thursday, September 4, 2026 at 10:30 am in the Commissions chambers at the Courthouse Annex.

View the proposed budget here: https://www.cascadecountymt.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8192/FY2027-Proposed-Budget

If you cannot attend in person, attend via Zoom link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9zKVHJP-QMCia1m5mnOykA #/registration

Bring your questions and participate.

There are a lot of questions to ask including; "What is a Taxpayer Reserve Account and where is +$200,000 coming from that will be transferred in it?"

This is your money - take part in these decisions.

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08/31/2026

08/30/2026

CASCADE COUNTY FY2027 BUDGET — YOUR RIGHT TO BE HEARD

Local media is encouraging citizens to weigh in on the Cascade County FY2027 Budget, scheduled for adoption at the Commissioners’ meeting on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 10:30 am.

Join by Zoom link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9zKVHJP-QMCia1m5mnOykA #/registration:

I applaud the effort to get citizens involved in decisions about OUR tax dollars.
But taxpayers should ask, "What does the County’s 'Public Hearing' actually mean?"

Cascade County has traditionally described its budget hearing as being “open from day to day” during the week leading up to adoption.

But, when can a taxpayer actually show up, ask questions, get answers, and have those concerns placed on the public record?

In previous years, County Commissioners placed a copy of the 550+ page budget document in the Commissioners’ Chambers for public review. Citizens were expected to travel to the Annex to view the document. However, there was no clear opportunity to ask questions, hear officials discuss concerns presented, receive answers from the officials responsible for the budget, or have those discussions recorded.

HERE'S THE QUESTION:

Does simply declaring a hearing “open from day to day” actually give taxpayers a meaningful opportunity to participate? And will email inquiries to singular Commissioners be seen by your neighbors needing the same information?

If you email the Commissioners about specific budget questions, ask them directly:

During this "day-to-day" Hearing, why isn't specific time being scheduled each day between now and September 3 for citizens to participate in the budget hearing, ask questions, and have deliberations recorded for those unable to physically attend?

[email protected]

This isn't just about the budget, it's about your right to be heard - it's about transparency.

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08/20/2026

SHOW ME THE MONEY

With excesses between budgeted and actual expenses, why is Cascade County budgeting so much over (padding the budget) and where is this money going?

Even though the Commissioners adopt a budget, the Actual expenditures do not come close to the Budgeted expenditures, so the budget is overstated (padded) to a large extent. This generally results in the county “making money” or what is called Cash Reserves.

Properly allocating taxpayer monies is a serious matter enforceable by Montana laws.

Taxpayers should have access to budget-setting meetings containing deliberations and discussions regarding taxpayer money, including employee expenses, capital improvement funds and mill levy allocations.

Transparency allows the public to see the full picture and make informed decisions about the future of our county. Demand that budgeting meetings be recorded for your access.

Did you know Cascade County elected officials do not record their budget-setting meetings as required by the Montana Constitution and State Law?

https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0020/chapter_0030/part_0020/section_0020/0020-0030-0020-0020.html

[email protected] County Commissioners
[email protected] Chief Finance Officer
[email protected] County Attorney

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08/19/2026

Those who were assessed a Rural Solid Waste District Assessment on their 2024 or 2025 property tax bill are encouraged to attend the upcoming Oral Argument regarding the proposed class action lawsuit challenging the legality of those assessments.

An oral argument gives the attorneys for each side an opportunity to present their legal positions and answer the court's questions. No witnesses or evidence are typically presented at this stage. However, should the Petitioner(s) prevail in elevating this suit to a Class Action, those assessed in this district are also PETITIONERS and will learn much about this case by attending.

The Hearing is scheduled to take place in November.

If you missed the earlier post introducing the proposed class action lawsuit, you can learn more about the current status of the case here:
https://dcportal.pubcourts.mt.gov/fullcourtweb/civilRoaSummary.do

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08/18/2026

TOWN OF CASCADE LAW ENFORCEMENT NEGOTIATIONS

Attending the Public Hearing on August 13, 2026, regarding the decision by the Cascade Town Council for law enforcement as required in MCA 7-32-4101; the vote to form a Police Department was tabled, allowing the County another opportunity to come to the table for mediation, and allowing the Town taxpayer more time to examine contract fees vs. expenses of forming a Police Department.

The vote is tabled until the next Town Council meeting.

In April 2026, the Town Council provided an informational letter containing a timeline of events as well as other useful information. This letter is now provided here.

Please take a few minutes to read the attached letter and become informed about this important issue facing the Town of Cascade.

I applaud the elected officials in the Town of Cascade for exercising due diligence in matters of those they serve and the communitys' success. Government is intended to be slow and deliberate and ALWAYS representated by the voice of the taxpayer.

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08/17/2026

WHY CUT STAFF AND SERVICES?

These final budget calculations come from Annual Finance Reports submitted by Cascade County to the State Department of Administration. The historical data shown in the chart indicates that, despite budgeted negative amounts, Cascade County has not historically ended the year with an overall deficit balance.

If the county is not operating at an overall deficit, what is driving the current push to reduce staff and services to the community?

And with ARPA funding coming to an end, why is the county reducing grant funding from other available sources at this time?

These are reasonable questions for the public to ask. Before reductions to employees, services, or community programs are made, residents deserve a clear understanding of the county's complete financial position, including available cash balances, revenues, expenditures, and the reasons behind the proposed reductions.

Transparency allows the public to see the full picture and make informed decisions about the future of our county. Demand the current budgeting meeting be recorded for your access.

Did you know Cascade County elected officials do not record their budget-setting meetings as required by the Montana Constitution and State Law?

[email protected] (Cascade County Commissioners)
[email protected] (Chief Finance Officer)
[email protected] (County Attorney)

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08/16/2026

NEWS FROM YOUR NEIGHBORS

Thank you to those making Public Comment on August 11, 2026.

Sidenote: The ensuing MSU Extension Office meeting was attended by all 3 County Commissioner and the Deputy Civil Attorney. No agenda was provided, no recordings were made, no minutes taken, nor public comment offered . . . violating the public's constitutional rights and state law, MCA 2-3-212.

Let’s not normalize actions that bypass lawful and transparent procedures.

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08/15/2026

NARRATIVE MANIPULATION

At the August 11, 2026 County Commissioner Bi-Monthly Meeting, and again during the MSU Extension Office meeting that followed, Commissioner Briggs stated:

“Cascade County’s budget, as of this moment, is $14.5M in the red. Cuts have to be made somewhere.”

There is additional context that deserves consideration.

The attached document is the final page of the Interim Operating Budget for FY27, adopted in June 2026. It shows that prior-year budgets also reflected significant negative amounts—more than $20 million in some years.

Why does this occur?

The budget reports presented to the public do not, in themselves, show the available cash balance. As a result, a negative budget figure does not necessarily mean the county has no cash available to cover that amount.

A simplified way to understand the relationship is:

Beginning Cash + Revenue − Expenses = Ending Cash (Net Position)

Before conclusions are drawn about the need for cuts, it is important for the public to have the complete financial picture - including the county’s cash balances.

Rather than relying on any single narrative or interpretation, I encourage residents to review the underlying financial information for themselves.

Contact your County Commissioners and Chief Finance Officer Trista Besich and request the Cash Balance Report.

[email protected]
[email protected]

Public access to complete financial information allows citizens to better understand the county’s financial position and make informed decisions about the budget.

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