Broadwater County officials have increased property taxes to make up for shortfalls in its accounts for the Townsend and Three Forks school districts.

County treasurer Doug Ellis says the county has collected the wrong amount of taxes for six years due. He says the county levied $256,750 less than it should have between 2006 and 2012.

The county has raised property taxes to make up for the shortfall. That means the average homeowner will pay between $70 to $80 more per year.

Ellis and commissioners also are considering running county accounts at a deficit and borrowing money.

The county owes the two school districts this year a combined $541,000 in retirement funds and $60,000 in transportation funds.

Ellis says the county will pay the school districts right away.

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