Myth Busters!

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Want to know more about a development happening near you? Heard a rumor about an initiative coming before the commissioners and want to see if it's true? Ask us about it! We're happy to answer any questions you may have about projects happening in the county.

Want to know more about a development happening near you? Heard a rumor about an initiative coming before the commissioners and want to see if it's true? Ask us about it! We're happy to answer any questions you may have about projects happening in the county.

Ask us anything!

We will try to get back to you within three business days.

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  • Share Missoula County will increase insurance rates for properties in the floodplain. on Facebook Share Missoula County will increase insurance rates for properties in the floodplain. on Twitter Share Missoula County will increase insurance rates for properties in the floodplain. on Linkedin Email Missoula County will increase insurance rates for properties in the floodplain. link

    Missoula County will increase insurance rates for properties in the floodplain.

    7 days ago

    This is FALSE.

    Missoula County has no role in administering flood insurance. Insurance rates are nationally set by FEMA. Flood insurance coverage is available for properties in the floodplain, and residents receive an automatic 15% discount on premiums based on county activities that promote flood safety and resilience. 

    Get a flood insurance quote at https://www.floodsmart.gov/. 

    #floodplainmapping #planning
    #floodplainmapping #planning
  • Share Current floodplain property owners have to retroactively comply with floodplain regulations if they don't want to risk being fined, or worse, lose their homes. on Facebook Share Current floodplain property owners have to retroactively comply with floodplain regulations if they don't want to risk being fined, or worse, lose their homes. on Twitter Share Current floodplain property owners have to retroactively comply with floodplain regulations if they don't want to risk being fined, or worse, lose their homes. on Linkedin Email Current floodplain property owners have to retroactively comply with floodplain regulations if they don't want to risk being fined, or worse, lose their homes. link

    Current floodplain property owners have to retroactively comply with floodplain regulations if they don't want to risk being fined, or worse, lose their homes.

    7 days ago

    This is FALSE.

    Existing Legal Construction: While Missoula County recommends existing property owners in the floodplain take mitigation measures to protect their property, they will not be required to unless they plan to alter, substantially improve or replace a structure. 

    New Construction: After the maps are finalized by FEMA, Missoula County must require new construction in the floodplain to apply for a floodplain permit and meet certain requirements.

    #floodplainmapping #planning
    #floodplainmapping #planning
  • Share The County can use the junk vehicle tax revenue stream as a local match to purchase buyouts in the floodplain. on Facebook Share The County can use the junk vehicle tax revenue stream as a local match to purchase buyouts in the floodplain. on Twitter Share The County can use the junk vehicle tax revenue stream as a local match to purchase buyouts in the floodplain. on Linkedin Email The County can use the junk vehicle tax revenue stream as a local match to purchase buyouts in the floodplain. link

    The County can use the junk vehicle tax revenue stream as a local match to purchase buyouts in the floodplain.

    7 days ago

    This is FALSE. 

    The County’s junk vehicle program is required to follow Montana state law, and revenue generated from that program is required to be reinvested in that program. If junk vehicle funds were ever used in a buyout situation, it would be a case where there was a willing property owner and could only be used for purchase of a mobile home that met the junk vehicle specifications. Buyouts are rare in Missoula County, can only occur with a willing, voluntary property owner. They have been in very high-risk areas with repeated flood damages such as off Tower Street and Kehrwald Drive in the Orchard Homes area.  

    #floodplainmapping #planning
    #floodplainmapping #planning
  • Share The purpose of the National Flood Insurance Program is to buy properties in the floodplain. on Facebook Share The purpose of the National Flood Insurance Program is to buy properties in the floodplain. on Twitter Share The purpose of the National Flood Insurance Program is to buy properties in the floodplain. on Linkedin Email The purpose of the National Flood Insurance Program is to buy properties in the floodplain. link

    The purpose of the National Flood Insurance Program is to buy properties in the floodplain.

    7 days ago

    This is FALSE. 

    The purpose of the National Flood Insurance Program is not land acquisition but rather protecting private property development by ensuring new development is protected from flood hazards. Local floodplain regulations are development regulations that must conform with guidance and requirements provided by the state of Montana and FEMA.  

    Missoula County is not currently involved in any buyouts to mitigate flood hazard. When they happen, buyouts are 100% voluntary and typically offered only to properties that have sustained repeated flood damage. The purpose is to protect lives and reduce long-term taxpayer costs from future disasters. Property owners choose whether to participate. 

    #floodplainmapping #planning
    #floodplainmapping #planning
  • Share Missoula County uses their own data to create the floodplain maps. on Facebook Share Missoula County uses their own data to create the floodplain maps. on Twitter Share Missoula County uses their own data to create the floodplain maps. on Linkedin Email Missoula County uses their own data to create the floodplain maps. link

    Missoula County uses their own data to create the floodplain maps.

    7 days ago

    This is FALSE. 

    FEMA requires counties to use the best available data. The updated base flood elevations are FEMA-approved and reflect current river conditions. 

    Missoula County is required to reference the effective maps and flood study, as a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program. The floodplain boundaries shown on the FEMA map are a visual guide. The base flood elevations are published in the FEMA Flood Insurance Study (FIS). Cross sections vary throughout the river and standard methods are published by FEMA for calculating the BFE at any given location.  

    In Montana, the regulated flood hazard area boundary is based on where the base flood elevation intersects natural ground. That means areas beyond the FEMA boundary may be subject to floodwater inundation according to the effective flood hazard information published by FEMA.

    #floodplainmapping #planning
    #floodplainmapping #planning
  • Share I can always go to my polling place to vote. on Facebook Share I can always go to my polling place to vote. on Twitter Share I can always go to my polling place to vote. on Linkedin Email I can always go to my polling place to vote. link

    I can always go to my polling place to vote.

    13 days ago
    This is FALSE.


    The upcoming Nov. 4 election is mail-only, and polling places will not be open. Ballots will be mailed Thursday, Oct. 16, to all active and provisionally registered voters who live in Missoula County and the City of Missoula. You can turn in your ballot by mail, too; return postage is paid. 


    Several drop-off locations will also be available on Election Day, and you can see the full list at missoulavotes.com.

    Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, to count. This includes mailed ballots as postage date does not count. 
    Starting with this election, state law now requires voters to write their birth year on the affirmation envelope, in addition to their signature.








    election,voting
    election voting
  • Share Missoula County will decide if a property owner can develop a possible mine in the Blackfoot Corridor near Bonner. on Facebook Share Missoula County will decide if a property owner can develop a possible mine in the Blackfoot Corridor near Bonner. on Twitter Share Missoula County will decide if a property owner can develop a possible mine in the Blackfoot Corridor near Bonner. on Linkedin Email Missoula County will decide if a property owner can develop a possible mine in the Blackfoot Corridor near Bonner. link

    Missoula County will decide if a property owner can develop a possible mine in the Blackfoot Corridor near Bonner.

    13 days ago
    This is FALSE. 


    While Missoula County reviewed the proposed land use for zoning compliance, all that process did was confirm to the requester that the property is un-zoned.


    The state Department of Environmental Quality is the reviewing and permitting authority for any proposal for an open cut pebble mine and asphalt operation. DEQ is required to check any proposal for zoning compliance, and in cases where the property is un-zoned, there is no further review by Missoula County.


    If DEQ receives an application, residents will be able to submit comment here: https://deq.mt.gov/public/publiccomment
    zoning ,land use
    zoning land use
  • Share Missoula County isn't doing anything to reduce human-bear conflicts. on Facebook Share Missoula County isn't doing anything to reduce human-bear conflicts. on Twitter Share Missoula County isn't doing anything to reduce human-bear conflicts. on Linkedin Email Missoula County isn't doing anything to reduce human-bear conflicts. link

    Missoula County isn't doing anything to reduce human-bear conflicts.

    about 1 month ago
    This is FALSE. 


    Missoula County is officially designated as a "Bear Smart Community." This means the County works to minimize human-bear conflicts by promoting bear-safe practices, including requiring bear-proof trash cans in the Bear Buffer Zone. 

    Learn more about the Bear Smart Missoula and find out if you're in the Bear Buffer Zone at missoulacountyvoice.com.
    bear ,bearsmart
    bear bearsmart
  • Share Missoula County approved an 8% increase in property taxes, so my property taxes will automatically go up by 8%. on Facebook Share Missoula County approved an 8% increase in property taxes, so my property taxes will automatically go up by 8%. on Twitter Share Missoula County approved an 8% increase in property taxes, so my property taxes will automatically go up by 8%. on Linkedin Email Missoula County approved an 8% increase in property taxes, so my property taxes will automatically go up by 8%. link

    Missoula County approved an 8% increase in property taxes, so my property taxes will automatically go up by 8%.

    about 2 months ago
    This is FALSE. 

    The Missoula County commissioners approved the FY 2026 budget with an 8% increase in revenue from property taxes. This amounts to $4.6 million increase in countywide tax revenue, which mainly covers increased costs to sustain current services and operations. 

    However, due to recent legislative changes, the tax impacts for individual properties does not necessarily mean you will see an increase in taxes owed to the County this fall. The implementation of a graduated tax rate means some property owners will pay less in County taxes, while others will pay more. 

    Go to missoulacountyvoice.com for more details about the FY 2026 budget and how it impacts your taxes. 
    taxes,graduatedtaxrate
    taxes graduatedtaxrate
  • Share Missoula County Elections Office offers information about candidates. on Facebook Share Missoula County Elections Office offers information about candidates. on Twitter Share Missoula County Elections Office offers information about candidates. on Linkedin Email Missoula County Elections Office offers information about candidates. link

    Missoula County Elections Office offers information about candidates.

    about 2 months ago

    This is FALSE. 

    While the Elections Office conducts all elections within Missoula County and provides details on when and where to vote, it does not produce information about candidates beyond their names and what race they're running in.

    Producing details on candidate platforms or positions risks the perception of bias. 

    Voters are encouraged to research candidates by visiting campaign websites or social media accounts and reviewing information local media outlets publish about candidates.

    elections ,missoula county elections office ,voting
    elections missoula county elections office voting
Page last updated: 22 Oct 2025, 09:11 AM