Notice is hereby given by the undersigned Clerk of Willow Creek School District No. 15, J15-17, Gallatin County, State of Montana that the Annual School Election will be held on Tuesday, May 6th. 2026, by mail ballot. Ballots may be returned to the following locations, at the following times:
Location Prior to Election Day: Gallatin County Elections Office, 311 W. Main Room 210, Bozeman Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Belgrade School District Administration Office 312 N. Weaver St. Belgrade, MT 59714 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Base Community Center 285 Simkins Drive Big Sky, MT – Before May 1st, M-F 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. After May 1st M-F 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. or Ridge View Elementary School 117 Green belt Drive, Belgrade, MT 59714 M-F 7:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Location on Election Day: Gallatin County Elections Office 311 W. Main Room 210, Bozeman Hours: 7:00 am to 8:00 pm, Belgrade School District Administration Office, 312 N. Weaver St. Belgrade, MT 59714 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Base Community Center 285 Simkins Dr. Big Sky, MT 59716 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Ridge View Elementary School 117 Green Belt Drive 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Electors will consider the following issues at the election:
· Mill levy proposition to finance the school’s Elementary General Fund in the amount of $8287.92.
Proposition: Shall the board of trustees be authorized to impose an increase in local taxes to support the general fund in the amount of $8287.92, which is approximately 4.02 mills, for the purpose of supporting the elementary general fund. Passage of this proposal will increase the taxes on a home with a market value of $100,000 by approximately $3.06, on a home with a market value of $300,000 by approximately $9.17, and on a home with a market value of $600,00 by approximately $19.58. An increase in property taxes may lead to an increase in rental costs. The durational limit of the levy is permanent once approved by the voter, assuming the district levies that amount each year thereafter. However, lowering over-Base tax levies in any year will lower the amount of permissively over-base levies in subsequent years.
Beginning in 2026, residences that qualify for the homestead or rental property reduced tax rate are taxed at a lower rate. However, the MCA does not address which tax rate should be used when estimating the impact of a voted levy. Language in this section has NOT been adjusted for estimating the tax impact for a residence that qualifies for the homestead or rental property reduction tax rate.
A qualified registered elector who will be absent from the district during the time the election is being conducted may: a) vote in person in the election administrator’s office as soon as the ballots are available and until noon the day before the ballots are scheduled to be mailed; b) make a written request, signed by the applicant and addressed to the election administrator, that the ballot be mailed to an address other than the address that appears on the registration card. The district clerk/election administrator's office is located at:
Gallatin County Elections Office 311 W. Main St. Room 210, Bozeman
If you miss this regular registration deadline (30 days prior to the election), you may still register for the election by showing up at the county election office by noon on the day before election day. The late registration certificate may be exchanged for a ballot at the school election administrator’s office until the close of polls on election day. The county election office is located at:
Gallatin County Elections Office 311 W. Main St. Room 210, Bozeman
A late registrant may obtain a ballot on election day at the following location:
Gallatin County Elections Office 311 W. Main St. Room 210, Bozeman
DATED this 10th day of May, 2026
District Clerk: Sherri Lower