Helena meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Helena City Commission weighs $50.9M budget carryover, water rate proposals

The Helena City Commission held three meetings over the past two weeks, but none produced final votes. All items were discussion or direction only, with minutes not yet published. The most consequential item under consideration is a proposal to carry over $50,958,635 in expenditures and $12,729,385 in revenues from fiscal year 2026 into the FY27 budget. The commission also reviewed utility rate changes, a public safety mill levy, and infrastructure bid awards.

Budget and finance

At the July 29 administrative meeting, commissioners discussed the FY26 budget carryover, which would shift unspent funds into the next fiscal year. They also reviewed proposed rates and charges for water and wastewater customers, property assessments for landfill monitoring, residential solid waste, and stormwater utility, and a public safety mill levy. No votes were taken.

The August 3 regular meeting included a resolution of intention to carry over the $50.9 million in expenditures and $12.7 million in revenues. The commission also considered proposed fees for dedicated fire units at special events and emergency response cost recovery. These items remain pending.

Infrastructure and property

Also on August 3, the commission reviewed bid awards for the 2025 Hale Reservoir Renovation and the Missouri River Water Treatment Plant Hi-Zone Pump Station VFD. A right-of-way use permit for Helena College parking on Townsend Avenue between Sanders Street and Harris Street was on the agenda. The commission also considered TIF fund distributions for three properties: 1000 East Lyndale Avenue, 1000 North Last Chance Gulch, and 415 North Last Chance Gulch.

Housing and community

The July 29 meeting included an update to the Helena Affordable Housing Trust Fund Program Guidelines. The commission discussed the guidelines but took no action. The public safety mill levy was also discussed as part of the same session.

Bylaws work session

On August 3, the commission held the fourth work session on its Rules of Procedure. The meeting was open to the public in person and via Zoom, with time for public comment. No formal decisions were listed on the agenda.

Coming up

The City Commission will hold an administrative meeting on August 12. The agenda includes a presentation on the FY27 mill levy calculation, a solid waste rate study from NewGen, and an update on the residential water service line program, including a proposed 2.5% additional increase to water rates. The meeting will also introduce Corey Parker as the new City Fire Chief and include an urban forestry assessment update. The meeting is open to the public.

Helena City Commission agendas cover urban renewal, taxes, and public safety levy; no minutes published yet

The Helena City Commission has a packed agenda this month, with proposals touching property taxes, a public safety mill levy, urban renewal spending plans, zoning changes, and street vacations. However, minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so it is not possible to confirm which items were approved, rejected, or tabled. The summaries below reflect what was on each agenda.

July 6 — Bylaws Work Session

The Commission held its third work session focused on its own operating bylaws. Agenda items covered meeting procedures, officer duties, and public participation rules, including a proposed two-minute speaking limit per agenda item and guidelines for Zoom participation and microphone etiquette. The agenda contained no specific policy votes or contracts. This was a procedural review.

July 6 — Regular City Commission Meeting

The regular meeting agenda included several fiscal and land-use items:

• **Urban renewal:** Public hearings on the Downtown, Capital Hill Mall, and Railroad Urban Renewal District Work Plans for fiscal year 2026.
• **Zoning:** An ordinance proposing a zoning change from R-2 (Residential) to PLI for a property not specified in the agenda.
• **Street vacation:** A resolution to vacate portions of Livingston Avenue, Sanders Street, and an alley in block 32-A of the Conrad-Stafford Addition.
• **Fees:** Proposed changes to garbage and refuse disposal fees at the City of Helena Transfer Station.
• **Fire Station #2:** A bid award for the Fire Station #2 Renovation & Fire Suppression Project, identified as CF26002.

Because minutes are not yet published, the outcomes of these items — including the bid award — cannot be confirmed.

July 15 — Administrative Meeting

The administrative meeting agenda included:

• **Tax assessments:** City of Helena Tax Year 2026 Assessments.
• **Public safety mill levy:** Consideration of a mill levy for public safety funding.
• **Blackfoot Communications:** A proposed ordinance for an access agreement with Blackfoot Communications, Inc.
• **Engineering standards:** An update to the 2013 City of Helena Engineering Standards, Chapter 4 — Stormwater.

No minutes are available, so no action can be verified.

What this means for residents

The tax assessment and public safety mill levy items could affect property tax bills. The urban renewal work plans outline spending priorities for three districts in the city. The proposed zoning change and street vacations could affect property use and access in the Conrad-Stafford Addition area. The Fire Station #2 renovation bid award, if confirmed, would commit city funds to that project. Residents should watch for published minutes to learn what was decided.

Coming up

July 20 — Regular City Commission Meeting. The Commission will consider repealing criminal penalty provisions in city ordinances and replacing them with civil penalties under a municipal infraction enforcement system. Also on the agenda: a resolution to vacate portions of Livingston Avenue, Sanders Street, and an alley, and to release block 32-A of the Conrad-Stafford Addition along with a previously vacated west alley easement under the college building. Public comment is scheduled before votes.