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County rakes in $204,000 in settlement |
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Wednesday, 10 October 2007 |
By Buck Traxler, I-O Editor
In an oil company settlement of back taxes, Pondera County, along with six other counties, shared almost $1.8 million in back taxes, penalties and interest.
Pondera County’s portion from the law suit is $204,121. The other counties are Blaine ($7,917), Glacier ($11,036), Liberty ($502,931), Teton ($83,394), Toole ($269,810), and the state ($320,792).
Commission Chairman Joe Christiaens told the I-O, “It’s been a long time coming.”
A Shelby oil company, William F. Fulton, Fulton Fuel Co. and other affiliates agreed to pay the state $1.4 million at the time of the settlement in July with the rest, $392,000 being paid by Jan. 26, 2008.
For Pondera County, Treasurer Jeanne Moon indicated the settlement will be allocated to various county funds.
For example, Conrad High School will be allocated $42, 637.79, the elementary schools $27,252.68, and the general fund $34,349.06. Remaining funds will be disbursed into other county funds such as the road and weed departments and others.
The settlement was actually made this past summer in July; however, the Revenue Department reports they could not comment on the action until all of the counties involved were in agreement on a joint press release.
In the latter part of September a settle agreement was released to a committee of the Revenue and Transportation departments.
It should be noted; these are not “windfall” funds. The settlement is money that should have been received earlier. It all represents unpaid taxes.
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