Missoula County meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Missoula County weighs $1.36M jail cooling upgrade, new 9-1-1 consoles

Missoula County commissioners this week will consider a $1.36 million cooling system upgrade at the detention facility and new 9-1-1 center consoles, along with a slate of other spending and policy items. All recent meetings were agenda-only, with no decisions recorded; the board is scheduled to act on several proposals in the coming days.

Spending and contracts

At an Aug. 11 administrative meeting, the commission will consider:

• A $1,356,000 professional services agreement with Sapphire Mechanical for jail cooling upgrades.
• Purchase of 9-1-1 center consoles from Watson Consoles for $203,971.50.
• Phase III construction administration for the Lolo Street Bridge (no amount listed).
• A contract with Montana DEQ for sanitation in subdivision reviews, $20,000–$25,000 per year.
• Appointment of a member to the Tax Appeal Board.

At an Aug. 18 administrative meeting, the board will consider:

• A $300,000 contract for TSOS shower and restroom buildings.
• A $235,211 contract for Marshall Mountain Park Base Area Redevelopment design.
• A $43,143.42 per year Everbridge mass notification contract.
• A $11,713.50 fencing contract at Lolo Riverside Park.
• A land use license for asphalt millings at the Old Seeley Shop gravel pit, with $11,000 in back pay.

Tax and budget items

On Aug. 10, the commission will consider a resolution to write off uncollectible delinquent personal and real property taxes for 2026, as allowed by state law. The same meeting includes a refund request for Taxpayer ID No. 424199216 due to a property misclassification.

At an Aug. 13 public meeting, the board will hear a claims list totaling $1,600,292.16 for July 31 to Aug. 5, 2026. The agenda also includes hearings on a road aggregation and family transfer, a water and sewer district, and Missoula Rural Fire District impact fees.

On Aug. 19, the commission will discuss the FY27 budget update and mill calculations, along with an interest allocation process follow-up.

Boards and committees

Several advisory boards met during the week:

• The Larchmont Golf Course board reviewed operations and finances (Aug. 11).
• The Seeley Lake Community Council heard from county and forest service speakers (Aug. 11).
• The Open Lands Committee considered a Land Stewardship Award nomination and bond project updates (Aug. 13).
• The Big Sky Stewardship Committee reviewed bylaws and a fund report (Aug. 19).
• The Parks and Trails Advisory Board elected officers and reviewed a Kona agreement (Aug. 20).
• The Clinton Community Council planned its September meeting and discussed a possible 'Clinton Days' celebration in May 2027 (Aug. 20).

Coming up

• **Aug. 24, 9:30 a.m.** – BCC Department Updates: Public Works chief officer's update; public comment.
• **Aug. 24** – BCC Department Updates: Data center interim zoning study, family property transfers, Missoula Youth in Restoration wrap-up, and Missoula Botanical Garden update.
• **Aug. 25** – BCC Admin Meeting: Consent agenda including a $164,000 MSU Extension agreement, a $35,000 CABI International agreement, a $25,000 Good Neighbor Agreement with USDA Forest Service, a resolution on feral and estray horses, and a five-year Paragon Micro software agreement.

Missoula County sets final budget hearing, approves contracts and appointments

Missoula County commissioners set a final fiscal year 2027 budget hearing for September 3 during a preliminary hearing on July 30. The board also approved a series of contracts and appointments on July 28, including funding for trail work and a medical advisor agreement.

Budget

The Board of County Commissioners held a preliminary FY27 budget hearing on July 30, focusing on the expense side of the budget. The board set the final budget hearing for September 3, 2026, after the county receives certified taxable values. No vote tally was recorded for this action.

Contracts and appointments

At its July 28 administrative meeting, the board approved a consent agenda with the following items, all by a 3-0 vote:

• Memorandum of agreement with Trout Unlimited for Marshall Creek restoration
• Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks contract up to $40,000 for Marshall Mountain Park trails
• Employment agreement for Dr. David Christiansen as Medical Advisor for Missoula City-County Health Department
• Amended Parks to Passes Interlocal agreement for the BUILD Grant
• Amended agreement with Matt Merritt Entertainment LLC for the Missoula Stampede Rodeo
• Amended agreement with Tonkin Dump Truck & More LLC for park landscaping
• Order to cancel 2026 taxes for a junk mobile home at 2002 W. Kent St.
• Appointments to the Missoula Development Authority, East Missoula Community Council, and two rural fire districts

Other recent meetings

Several other meetings took place over the past two weeks, though most were agenda-only with no decisions published yet.

• July 27: A joint City Council and County Commission public hearing on a proposed Green Power Program Lead Community Agreement.
• July 27: BCC Public Works discussed Lolo Street Bridge updates, water and wastewater regulations, and feedback from the Condon Community Council.
• July 28: The board received updates from the Fort Missoula Historical Museum and Missoula Public Library.
• July 29: Chief officers discussed budget preparation; the board also discussed strategic planning and the Fall MACO Conference.
• Aug. 3: Updates from Ecology & Extension, Grants and Community Resources, and a discussion on El Mar Estates parks.
• Aug. 4: An administrative meeting agenda included a $59,234.43 juvenile detention grant, road easements for the El Toro Lane RSID project, revised water/sewer regulations, a wildfire emergency proclamation, and a NOAA-funded extreme heat exercise.
• Aug. 5: The board discussed a draft website policy; the Consolidated Land Use Board held a public hearing on the Missoula Connect 2050 Transportation Plan update.
• Aug. 6: The board considered closing public comment on a feral horse resolution and reviewed a claims list totaling $2,547,746.69.

Coming up

• **Aug. 10 (today):** BCC department update meeting at 9:30 a.m. covering Missoula Rural Fire District impact fees, a Loterbauer/Rosco Road aggregate and fee topic, a Dog Days Ultra race presentation at Big Sky Park, a Community Parks and Recreation Grant opening, and FY26 fund reallocations. A separate meeting will consider a resolution to write off uncollectible delinquent taxes and a refund request.
• **Aug. 11:** BCC administrative meeting to consider a $1.36 million jail cooling upgrade, $203,971.50 for new 9-1-1 center consoles, Phase III construction administration for the Lolo Street Bridge, a Montana DEQ sanitation contract, and a Tax Appeal Board appointment. The Larchmont Golf Course board also meets.
• **Aug. 13:** Open Lands Citizens Advisory Committee will consider a 2026 Land Stewardship Award nomination and receive updates on Open Space Bond projects.

County approves $40,000 trail contract, park agreements; bridge repair and budget hearings ahead

Missoula County commissioners approved a series of park, trail, and staffing agreements at their July 28 administrative meeting, including a contract worth up to $40,000 with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for Marshall Mountain Park trails. The vote was 3-0.

Park and trail funding approved

The Board of County Commissioners approved a memorandum of agreement with Trout Unlimited for Marshall Creek restoration and a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks contract up to $40,000 for Marshall Mountain Park trails. Both passed 3-0.

The board also approved an amended Parks to Passes Interlocal agreement for the BUILD Grant, an amended agreement with Matt Merritt Entertainment LLC for the Missoula Stampede Rodeo, and an amended agreement with Tonkin Dump Truck & More LLC for park landscaping. Each passed 3-0.

Medical advisor and appointments

Commissioners approved an employment agreement for Dr. David Christiansen as Medical Advisor for the Missoula City-County Health Department, 3-0. They also appointed members to the Missoula Development Authority, East Missoula Community Council, and two rural fire districts in a single 3-0 vote.

The board ordered cancellation of 2026 taxes for a junk mobile home at 2002 W. Kent St., also 3-0.

Bridge repair and land-use items scheduled

Several consequential items appeared on agendas the week of July 21–27, but official minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

On July 23, commissioners were scheduled to consider a $62,350 professional service agreement with Dan R. Dalton Inc. to repair the Sunset Hill Road Bridge. The agenda states the cost is reimbursable by SB-536 via the Montana Department of Transportation. That same meeting included a Planning and Zoning Commission hearing to adopt the Buckhouse Shoptown Growth Policy Amendment and rezone, a citizen variance request for Zoning District 9, the Duff Family Transfer Exemption, and a resolution on feral horse management.

On July 22, the BCC Lands & Communities body was set to review a variance request for 905 Gladis Drive, a Citizen-Initiated Zoning District #39 Amendment for Buckhouse Shoptown LLC, shoreline construction permits and variances for Seeley Lake, an annual flood mitigation update, and a Columbia Gold Project presentation.

Budget and litigation discussions

The July 22 BCC Department Updates meeting included a County Attorney update on active and recently closed litigation cases. No specific case details were listed.

A July 30 public meeting was scheduled as a preliminary FY27 budget hearing, with a claims list totaling $1,596,704.91. Budget requests on that agenda included Sheriff's Department tasers, a Facilities Detention Cooling Wall Tower, and a Treasurer's Office full-time employee position.

Multiple department update meetings during the week covered budget preparation, strategic planning, and conference recaps. No specific dollar amounts or decisions were listed for those sessions.

Highway 83 safety discussion

The Swan Valley Community Council met July 21 to discuss safety and speed along Highway 83 with Joel Boucher of the Montana Department of Transportation and Jason Mitchell of Missoula County Public Works. The council also discussed submitting a letter to county commissioners requesting a speed study. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

• **Aug. 3:** BCC receives Public Works and MDT updates; BCC Lands & Communities hears updates on ecology, grants, El Mar Estates Parks, and officer matters.
• **Aug. 4:** Commissioners vote on a $59,234.43 Western Region Juvenile Detention Grant, road easements for the El Toro Lane RSID project, revised water and sewer regulations, an emergency wildfire proclamation, and a NOAA-funded extreme heat tabletop exercise.
• **Aug. 5:** Consolidated Land Use Board holds a public hearing on the Missoula Connect 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan Update.
• **Aug. 11:** Larchmont Golf Course Board of Directors reviews operations and financial reports.

Missoula County meetings set stage for bridge repairs, labor agreements, and data center opposition

Missoula County commissioners and advisory bodies held a packed schedule of meetings July 13–23, with agendas covering bridge repairs, union contracts, public health grants, and a proposed data center in Bonner. All meetings listed below were agenda-only as of this report — minutes have not yet been published, so items reflect what was scheduled for discussion or action, not confirmed outcomes.

Contracts and Grants Scheduled for Consideration

The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) had several dollar-significant items on its July 14 administrative meeting agenda. The consent agenda included a successor collective bargaining agreement with Teamsters Union Local #2 and IUOE Local 302, a WIC Program Services grant of $691,306 from DPHHS to MCCHD, and professional services amendments for the expanded Western Montana Fair — including a Montex LLC amendment for video screen production and a Voyager Productions amendment for audio equipment not to exceed $46,500.

Action items on that agenda included a $26,250 subrecipient agreement with Seeley Lake Elementary School for a preliminary architecture report and an MOU for a YWCA domestic violence grant.

On July 23, commissioners were scheduled to consider a $62,350 professional service agreement with Dan R. Dalton Inc. to repair the Sunset Hill Road Bridge, reimbursable by SB-536 via MT DOT.

Impact Fees and Appropriations

The Impact Fee Advisory Committee met July 15 to vote on a recommendation to adopt Missoula Rural Fire District Impact Fees based on a study. The committee also considered two appropriation requests: $11,000 for a playground at West Riverside Community Park and $50,000 for Phase I design of a new Sheriff's Office Training Center.

Bonner Data Center Opposition

The Bonner Milltown Community Council, an advisory body, met July 13 with a vote scheduled on sending a letter to Missoula County Commissioners opposing the proposed Krambu EM LLC data center at 9314 Bonner Mill Road. The agenda also included an update from county officials on the Missoula County AI Center Moratorium with public Q&A, discussion of Blackfoot Crossing, and election of new officers.

Land Use and Zoning

BCC Lands & Communities met July 22 to review a variance request for 905 Gladis Drive, a Citizen-Initiated Zoning District #39 Amendment for Buckhouse Shoptown, LLC, and shoreline construction permits and variances for Seeley Lake. The July 23 public meeting included a hearing to adopt the Buckhouse Shoptown Growth Policy Amendment and rezone, a citizen variance request for Zoning District 9 (Katy Reeter), and a resolution to establish a process related to feral horses (Chris Lounsbury).

Public Safety and Roads

The Swan Valley Community Council met July 21 to discuss safety and speed on Highway 83 with Joel Boucher of MDT and Jason Mitchell of Missoula County Public Works. The council considered submitting a letter to commissioners requesting a speed study.

Sheriff's Department updates on Downtown Operations and Detention Center Operations were scheduled for July 13. On July 22, the County Attorney was set to provide an update on active and recently closed litigation cases.

Budget and Operations

Commissioners held multiple informational sessions: a FY27 budget update and FY25 audit update on July 15, and general budget and strategic planning discussions on July 23. The Larchmont Golf Course Board of Directors met July 14 for procedural and operations reports. The Parks and Trails Advisory Board met July 16 at Marshall Mountain (5250 Marshall Canyon Road) to elect officers and nominate park stewards.

Coming Up

• **July 27** — Joint City Council/BCC public hearing on the Green Power Program Lead Community Agreement; BCC Public Works discusses Lolo Street Bridge and water regulations.
• **July 28** — BCC considers a Marshall Creek restoration agreement with Trout Unlimited, a $40,000 Montana FWP trail construction grant at Marshall Mountain Park, a medical advisor contract for the health department, and multiple board appointments.
• **July 29** — BCC strategic planning and budget preparation discussions.

Missoula County Commissioners Approve $500,000 Home Rehabilitation Grant

The Missoula County Board of Commissioners approved a $500,000 grant to fund single-family home rehabilitation for low- to moderate-income owners during its July 7 administrative meeting. The board approved the Montana Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant contract with a 3-0 vote.

July 7 Administrative Meeting Decisions

During the July 7 meeting, the board approved all consent agenda items with a vote of three yes, zero no, and zero abstentions. These items included subdivision regulation amendments, a trail construction agreement, a grant amendment for the Lolo Street Bridge, and several road right-of-way easements.

The board also approved:

• An independent contractor agreement with Flaherty Consulting LLC up to $65,000 — vote 3-0.
• A successor collective bargaining agreement with MFPE/FMCE for 2026-2028 — vote 3-0.
• Acceptance of public road right-of-way easements for Aluminum Road from Treasure State Endeavors LLC and Cartage Warehouse LLC — vote 3-0.
• A resolution to accept portions of Lower Miller Creek Road right-of-way — vote 3-0.
• Authorization for the chair to sign a Western Region Juvenile Detention Grant application with an expected award of $178,519 — vote 3-0.
• A professional services agreement amendment with St. Patrick Hospital for the CATCH program — vote 3-0.

Recent Department Updates and Discussions

Between July 6 and July 15, the commissioners held or scheduled multiple department update meetings. Official minutes for these meetings have not yet been published, but agendas indicate the board discussed or was scheduled to discuss several land-use and budget matters.

Topics included interim zoning for a data center, the Blackfoot Crossing Growth Policy and rezone, amendments to subdivision regulations, and a Tax Increment Financing Study Limited Solicitation. The board was also scheduled to review five property tax refund and abatement requests covering statutory periods from 2016 to 2025.

On July 9, the board was scheduled to hold hearings on the Seeley Lake Rural Fire District petition, the Blackfoot Crossing Growth Policy Amendment and Rezone, and the data center moratorium interim zoning. The agenda also included a claims list from June 4–26, 2026, totaling $4,612,342.56.

The Bonner Milltown Community Council was scheduled to meet on July 13 to consider sending a letter to commissioners opposing the proposed Krambu EM LLC data center at 9314 Bonner Mill Road. The council also planned to elect new officers.

Other informational meetings covered the FY27 budget, FY25 audit, and a presentation from Drive Safe Missoula.

Coming Up

• **July 21:** The Swan Valley Community Council will discuss safety and speed on Highway 83 with representatives from the Montana Department of Transportation and Missoula County Public Works. The council may consider submitting a letter requesting a speed study.
• **July 22:** The BCC Lands & Communities body will review zoning variances, a shoreline construction permit for Seeley Lake, and receive a presentation on the Columbia Gold Project.