Big Sky is asking voters to extend the 4% resort tax on May 6

Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD) is asking voters on the May 6 ballot to extend the end of the resort tax until 2065 so that they can bond against the procedures to provide funding for affordable housing and community improvements. The current resort tax expiration is scheduled for 2032.  

“The resort tax in all reality is a sales tax,” explained BSRAD executive director Daniel Bierschwale at the Ballots and Brews event presented by Explore Big Sky on April 1. 

“It’s on the luxury goods and services that are primarily used by tourists and at its core is designed to provide property tax relief,” he continued. 

“Without the resort tax either the services will diminish. Think of things like fire, transportation, water and sewer, core services. Without the resort tax either the services would diminish or the property taxes would increase,” he said before going on to remind the audience that tax is paid by the consumer and collected by the businesses.

The resort tax was established in 1992 and has generated over $121 million dollars for investment in Big Sky that funds a variety of critical services. The measure does not raise the tax, it only extends the deadline which allows BSRAD to fund projects now by changing the allocation of future funds. 

“The renewal will allow us to continue to fund the annual grant cycle which is the predominant funding source for many non profits and government entities in our community,” he explained. “It helps to support the themes of a livable Big Sky.”

He pointed out that without the passage of the renewal, the other community bonds on the ballot, the Cold Smoke Affordable Housing Bond and the Community Park Bond, will be not viable.  

Ballots will be mailed out on April 17 to registered voters in the BSRAD and must be returned by May 6 to be counted.