County accepts Tunnels pay plan MINE MORE THAN $5 MILLION IN ARREARS ON TAXES, INTEREST

After lengthy debate, the Jefferson County Commission agreed last week to give the Montana Tunnels Mine one last chance to pay back taxes. The mine owes more than $5.362 million in back taxes, penalties and interest. 

Commissioner Leonard Wortman said the county could take a tax deed on the mine for the back taxes. But since the operating permit for the mine is separate from the property ownership, “Somebody could own a gold mine and not be able to operate it,” he said. He also expressed concern that the county could wind up with liability for environmental clean up at the mine if it takes over the property. 

County Attorney Steve Haddon said, “I do not believe it’s in the county’s best interest to get into the chain of title on this thing.”