Timeline

A Big Sky coalition submitted a petition to the Madison County Clerk and Recorder’s office to withdraw from the Madison Valley Hospital District.

The petition included 242 signatures, but commissioners later deemed it invalid because fewer than 10% of the signers met statutory requirements.

The Madison County Board of Commissioners held a hearing on the petition to withdraw Madison County properties within the BSRAD from the Madison Valley Hospital District.

The petition failed to meet the statutory requirement of 51% qualified resident signatures, was deemed invalid, and could not legally be considered during the hearing.

To verify petition signatures, the Madison County Clerk and Recorder’s office:

• Cross-referenced individuals with the Montana State Library (Cadastral) to confirm land ownership.

• Removed individuals who were not Montana residents.

• Removed signees without buildings on their property, as occupancy is a requirement or residency.

• Excluded trusts and LLCs not registered within the Big Sky portion of the Madison Valley Hospital District.

Wellness in Action, Inc. filed a lawsuit against the MCBC, the Madison Valley Hospital District, and the Madison Valley Medical Center Foundation.

The lawsuit alleges the MCBC “arbitrarily and capriciously” rejected the petition and failed to fulfill statutory duties.

In addition to seeking injunctive relief—demanding a hearing be held—the complaint requests the court order Madison County commissioners to cease levying taxes on Big Sky residents.

A District Court hearing focused on the petition submitted in 2023 to remove the entire Madison County portion of the Big Sky Resort Area District from the Madison Valley Hospital District. The petition did not meet the threshold determined by Montana statute to hold a hearing with the Commissioners. The plaintiffs seek injunctive relief and an order by the judge to bypass this question and require the Commissioners to hold a hearing to determine whether the area to be withdrawn benefits by remaining in the Madison Valley Hospital District.

The same day as the hearing on the December 20, 2023 petition, another petition consisting of one valid signature was submitted to the Madison County Clerk and Recorder’s office to withdraw the Silvertip neighborhood from the Madison Valley Hospital District.

This petition was deemed valid because only one resident qualified—meaning with only one signature the petition had 100% participation.

After four hours of testimony and debate, Madison County Commissioners voted 2-1 to deny a petition submitted by the Silvertip subdivision in Moonlight Basin seeking to withdraw from the Madison Valley Hospital District. The petition, requiring the signature of just one individual to meet legal requirements, aimed to redefine the district's boundaries but failed to secure majority approval. [Read more]

Sponsored by Greg Hertz, SB 260 was drafted by Megan Moore and requested by Cora Neumann.

To follow the bill, please visit http://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3227?open_tab=sum

In it’s announcement of support Big Sky Resort Area District (BSRAD) shows in its attached handout the estimated tax increases for tax payers in Ennis versus Big Sky.

Support Madison Valley officially opposes SB 260. [Read more]

Madison County stood strongly against SB 260. [Read more]