Building Montana’s 57th County
County 57 is the heartbeat of Condon, Seeley Lake, Greenough, Potomac, and rural Bonner. We believe in true rural autonomy, a government that remains close to the people, answers directly to our communities, and values local voices above all else. Together, we are fighting for a more transparent, accountable, and fiscally responsible local government. County 57 is focused on creating lasting opportunities so that our children and future generations can proudly thrive right here at home.
Join the Movement for County 57
True local empowerment means having a direct voice in the decisions that affect our land, our families, and our livelihoods. By uniting our rural communities, we are laying the groundwork for Montana’s newest county and a government built on accountability and autonomy. Get involved, share your ideas, and stand with your neighbors as we build a brighter direction forward together.
Building Montana’s 57th County Together
Find essential details about the County 57 movement, our vision for local governance, and how our rural communities are uniting.
What areas are included in County 57?
The proposed county includes Condon, Seeley Lake, Greenough, Potomac, and rural portions of Bonner.
How can I support the initiative?
Supporters can get involved online by donating, sharing our mission, and participating in local meetings. Next steps will include the need for volunteers for petition phase. Signage and merch will also be available soon.
Why is this separation necessary?
Creating a new county ensures better local representation, tailored services, and decisions made by those living in the area. Lowering property taxes and creating over 30 FTE positions, County 57 gives birth to opportunity for our real areas.
Who can participate in the movement?
Any resident, landowner, or interested individual passionate about the future of our rural Montana communities.
Where can I find more information?
Explore our website for initiative updates, educational resources, and upcoming community gathering details. Also join our Facebook Group: County 57: Seeley-Swan-Greenough-Potomac-Bonner. We have also released our first draft of our feasibility report. Second draft will be completed by end of September.
What is the timeline for the county?
We are currently building grassroots momentum and sharing information with community members across the region. We hope to bring a petition this coming spring/summer. Laws dictate that we have 120 days to gain signatures once our petition is approved, we want to have reached every voter before that point.
financial info
Explore the numbers and feasibility report drafts:
County 57 Numbers:
Value: $2.2 Billion Dollars
Taxable Value: Over $32M
Parcels: 5,984 (4,480 Private)
Improved Properties:2,909
Vacant Land Properties: 1,507
Federal Forest Acres: Over 400,000 Acres
Counties in Montana with less taxable value than Proposed County 57:
Bighorn, Blaine, Broadwater, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Liberty, McCone, Meagher, Mineral Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Powell, Prairie, Sheridan, Sweet Grass, Teton, Toole, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland (26)
Feasibility Report Draft #1: Click Here (Montana Free Press Link)
2nd Draft will release in the coming weeks…
Mandatory Montana County Departments & FTE Allocation
The 32.0 FTE personnel model maps directly onto the state-mandated roles, essential functional systems, and front-facing service departments required to legally run a Montana county, distributed as follows
County 57 Personnel Allocation Model (32.0 FTE)
| Department / Mandated Office | Functional Description & Staffing Structure | Target FTE |
| Board of County Commissioners | Three part-time commissioners (executive/legislative). | 1.5 |
| Clerk & Recorder / Treasurer / District Clerk | Deeds, vital records, tax collection, and financial reporting. | 4.0 |
| Elections & Voter Services | Registration, ballot processing, and compliance. | 1.5 |
| Licensing & Motor Vehicle | Titles, plates, renewals, and local permit processing. | 1.0 |
| County Attorney Office | Legal counsel, civil advisory, and prosecution. | 2.0 |
| Sheriff, Patrol & Transport | Patrol deputies, transport, and contract-bed detention mgmt. | 6.0 |
| Justice of the Peace | Judicial magistrate for citations and small claims. | 1.5 |
| Schools / Assessor | Educational coordination and property valuation data. | 1.0 |
| Public Works | Road grading, snowplowing, and transfer station operations. | 6.0 |
| Grant Writing & Special Projects | Dedicated grant acquisition focusing on public works, bridges, and cross-departmental funding. | 1.5 |
| Planning & Zoning | Building Permits, Land use, subdivisions, and GIS mapping. | 2.0 |
| Public Library Services | Seeley Lake, Condon, and Potomac branch staffing. | 1.5 |
| Noxious Weed Control | Weed management enforcement and grant coordination. | 0.5 |
| Health & Human Services (HHS) | Mandated public health administration, community health programs, and sanitarian oversight. | 2.0 |
| TOTAL | Fully Scaled Administrative Infrastructure | 32.0 |
The News…
Discover the latest news, insights, and informative resources about the movement to create Montana’s 57th county.
