Hundreds in Browning receive tax rebates for state error: ‘Put us through a lot’

BROWNING — Patty Homegun keeps a close eye on her finances. 

Having worked on the financial side of a tribal program for years, she keeps track of recurring bills and anticipates expenses that may fluctuate, like her property taxes.

This year, Homegun, 53, expected her property tax bill to be around $600 or $650, so she budgeted accordingly. But when she got her bill, Homegun was blown away by the number. She owed close to $1,000.

Property taxes soar in Browning, perplexing residents

“Talk about jaw-dropping,” she said. “I just couldn’t believe the number I was looking at. I thought, ‘This can’t be right.’”

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Homegun was right — the number was wrong. The state Department of Revenue admitted it made an error when appraising hundreds of property values in Browning that bumped tax bills two to four times above normal in the impoverished area.

The state’s error ultimately affected 380 parcels in Browning. On average, the state incorrectly appraised property values about $30,000 higher than they should have. The Glacier County Treasurer’s Office issued more than $200,000 total in rebate checks. Rebates averaged around $300 per property. 

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