Missoula County Republican Central Committee

The Missoula County Republican Central Committee believes local government should rest on a solid financial foundation. Taxpayers deserve to know how their hard-earned dollars are managed by those they elect to serve.

To shed light on Missoula’s fiscal health, we partnered with Truth in Accounting (TIA) — a respected group of accounting professionals who analyze the financial condition of all 50 states and 53 major U.S. cities each year. We asked TIA to review the annual financial reports for both Missoula County (overseen by three County Commissioners) and the City of Missoula (led by a Mayor and a 12-member City Council).

TIA’s approach is simple and transparent:

1. Add up Assets Available to Pay Bills, and
2. Add up Total Bills, including unfunded pension and retiree health care obligations — future costs that are often hidden from public view.

By subtracting total bills from available assets, TIA determines whether a community carries a Taxpayer Burden or enjoys a Taxpayer Surplus.

Here’s what they found:

• City of Missoula: Each taxpayer faces a $5,300 burden, earning the City a Financial Grade of “D.”
• Missoula County: Each taxpayer faces a $900 burden, earning a Financial Grade of “C.”
• State of Montana: In contrast, the state has a $4,300 surplus per taxpayer and a Financial Grade of “B.”

You can review the complete report and learn more about the risks of underfunded pensions in this concise 10-page analysis.

💬 Questions? Email us at [email protected]