What is County 57?
Find informative and persuasive answers about our movement to establish Montana’s 57th county.
Rural areas like Condon and Seeley Lake need local representation tailored specifically to our unique regional needs. A focused local government that is tailored to our communities.
The movement includes Condon, Seeley Lake, Greenough, Potomac, and parts of rural Bonner.
Donate by clicking the donate tab on the website. You can also reach out to County57Montana@gmail.com to join our future petition team, or offer a place for signage.
Ultimately the name of the new county will be up to the registered voters in the proposed new county.
All residents and supporters living within the designated rural communities are welcome to join. Ultimately, only registered voters will be able to sign petition, or vote in the election.
Frequently Asked Questions About County 57
How will County 57 be able to afford schools?
In Montana, school districts are independent tax and administrative entities. When county boundaries shift, districts that span across those lines officially become joint school districts—a standard, well-established mechanism under Montana law.
Our four local elementary school districts (Seeley Lake, Swan Valley, Potomac, and Greenough) already operate autonomously, backed by over $32 million in taxable value. Our communities will have complete local control over their future: the district can operate as a joint district across county lines. Creating County 57 doesn’t break our schools, it gives rural families the structural flexibility and local governance to decide what is best for students.
How can County 57 afford to do this?
Backed by a certified Department of Revenue taxable value over $32 million (and a total market value exceeding $2.2 billion), County 57 holds more than enough economic muscle to operate a lean, efficient rural county government.
To put that into perspective: County 57 has a higher overall taxable value than 26 existing Montana counties…out-valuing established regional governments like Powell, Mineral, and Phillips while maintaining a dedicated, tight-knit population. Seeley Lake itself out-values and out-populates numerous current county seats across the state.
Beyond local property taxes, the financial architecture is robust. When you factor in standard local mill levies, state-shared revenues, and federal funding sources like PILT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) and SRS (Secure Rural Schools) for federal lands within our boundaries, County 57 is positioned to operate securely.
Through a smart combination of these revenue sources, County 57 is structured not just to survive, but to operate with fiscal responsibility and long-term viability for local property owners. The financial framework isn’t a question mark….it’s already proven by the numbers.
You can find all state certified values by county below. You can also search taxable values of School Districts and Special Districts.