Missoula accountant sues over property tax notices

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Oct 16, 2009 at 6:21 AM MST

Story Updated: Oct 16, 2009 at 6:21 AM MST

HELENA - A Missoula accountant is suing Gov. Brian Schweitzer and state Revenue Director Dan Bucks in federal court in an attempt to stop the state from issuing property tax notices based on the latest reappraisal.

Patty Lovaas filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Missoula's federal court, contending that officials intentionally manipulated property values to deceive and defraud property owners.

C.A. Daw, the chief legal counsel for the Revenue Department, says there are no facts backing the lawsuit and that similar efforts by Lovaas in state court have not fared well.

The Revenue Department, under the Montana Constitution, does periodic statewide reappraisals of property values, which are used to calculate property taxes.

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