Missoula County Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

What is a capital improvement request?

Capital improvement requests are specifically for infrastructure improvements and will require an ongoing funding source from property taxes, unless otherwise noted. These requests can be carried over from previous fiscal years.

All approved requests listed below are preliminary. The commissioners will not make final decisions until the final budget hearing on Sept. 3.

Facilities

Remodel of the 311 Woody building - $175,000 - APPROVED

Would fund the remodel of a County-owned building that used to house the Youth Court Program, which has moved to the Courthouse Annex. Remodeling this building would allow some staff from the Community Justice Department and the County Attorney’s Office to move out of leased office space into County-owned space. Remodel would include including replacing carpet, creating an accessible entryway and other updates to modernize the space.

Funding source: Cash reserves and budgeted lease payments

Remodel of the 223 W. Alder building - $63,000 - APPROVED

Would fund the creation of new office spaces and lower the ceiling to address sound issues in the Human Resources building.

Funding source: Carryforward from FY26 budget and cash reserves.

Remodel of Temporary Safe Outdoor Space bathrooms - $200,000 – APPROVED FOR $50,000

Would fund the construction of permanent foundations for the bathrooms at the Temporary Safe Outdoor Space facility and add a laundry facility onsite.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Design of new training center at the Sheriff's Office - $50,000 - APPROVED

Would fund hiring an architect for the design of a new training center for deputies at Mullan Road office.

Funding source: Impact fees

Replacing the fire alarm panel at the health department - $31,000 - APPROVED

Would fund the replacement of fire alarm panels at the Missoula Public Health building as the current panels are about 15-20 years old and are connected via outdated landlines.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Re-painting the exterior of the County Administration Building - $65,000 - APPROVED

Would fund the re-painting the exterior of the County Administration building at 199 W. Pine St.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Rebuilding the clocktower at the Courthouse - $70,000 - APPROVED

Would fund a specialist from Ohio to service clock parts (in addition to annual maintenance) for the first time in 115 years.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Retaining wall at the Courthouse - $60,000 - APPROVED

Would fund removal of eight trees, planting five new trees and replacing sidewalks around the Courthouse. This work will finish renovations of the retaining wall of the Courthouse.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Back lot security upgrades at the Detention Facility - $150,000 – APPROVED FOR $80,000

Would add a new electric gate and concertina wire to secure the north lot behind the Detention Facility. Approved funding will pay for the new electric gate.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

DIACs replacement at the Detention Facility - $100,000 - APPROVED

Would fund continued development of DIACs (secured doors) and fire alarms at the Detention Facility.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Detention Facility façade engineering plan - $5,000 - APPROVED

Would fund a professional assessment by an engineer to address cracking of the façade of the Detention Facility.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Repairs to the recreation yard at the Detention Facility - $200,000 - DENIED

Would fund the re-surfacing and replacement of concrete at the recreation yard at the Detention Facility, which is about 25 years old.

Water pipe replacement at the Detention Facility - $5 million - DENIED

Would fund the replacement of all domestic water pipes within the Detention Facility, currently original, copper pipes that leak multiple times per week. This request also includes other renovations like replacing carpets, addressing leaking showers and other building maintenance.

Solar panel feasibility study - $150,000 - APPROVED FOR $50,000

Would fund a feasibility study ($50,000) to add solar panels for county buildings. The remaining $100,000 would be to begin a fund for adding solar panels in the future.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

LED light replacement at multiple county buildings - $25,000 - APPROVED

Would fund the continuation of an ongoing project to replace lightbulbs in county buildings. Buildings scheduled to be changed out include the Records Management and secured storage buildings. All county buildings are scheduled to be outfitted with LED lights by 2028.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Fairgrounds

One-ton pickup truck - $110,000 - APPROVED FOR $55,000

Would fund the purchase of a new flatbed truck that could plow and support Fairgrounds maintenance.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Missoula Public Health

All MPH requests reflect the full cost. The City of Missoula would be responsible for 60% of each request if it is approved during their budget process. The County would be responsible for the remaining 40%.

Water Quality District wells - $20,000 - APPROVED

Would add two new monitoring wells to the Missoula Valley Water Quality District groundwater monitoring network, which has 40 permanent wells. The new wells would be in the Wye/O’Keefe and Frenchtown Special Management Area near the high school. Like other monitoring wells, they will be sampled for water quality parameters at least once a year and will have transducers to continually monitor water levels. These wells will provide MPH an opportunity to conduct new groundwater studies.

Funding source: Cash reserves

Remodel of second floor of MPH building - $50,000 - APPROVED

Would add staff offices and remodel the second floor lobby to create a more welcoming environment for the public. This request includes carryforward money from FY26 and would be completed in FY2027.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Larchmont Golf Course

Golf cart rotation - $115,000 – APPROVED

Would fund the replacement of 20 golf carts from 2014.

Funding source: Cash reserves

Robotic mowers and ball pickers - $80,062 – APPROVED

Would fund the purchase of electric, robotic mowers and golf ball retrievers. Using this technology decreases safety issues and allows the driving range to be open while being mowed.

Funding source: Cash reserves

Create annual transfer to reserve for future maintenance shop - $50,000 – DENIED

Would create a new fund to prepare for replacing the maintenance shop, which is more than 40 years old and is too small for current needs.

Public Works

Mini excavator - $65,000 – APPROVED

Would fund the purchase of a mini-excavator to be used for emergency water and sewer line repairs, locate existing utilities and aid in small-scale improvement projects within the Lolo Sewer and Water District.

Funding source: Lolo RSID fund

Treasurer’s Office

Tax software transition plan - $138,334 - DENIED

Would create a capital improvement fund to eventually replace the current taxing software by 2030 and address issues with TaxWise. This change would also integrate county taxing with county finance as well as the DOR systems and allow for an integration with property assessing.

Remodel back room - $87,582 - APPROVED

Would remodel a back room at the Treasurer’s Office to create a secure, windowless room for storing secure documents and money. Includes remodeling costs (walls, electrified door and security cameras) following the recommendation from the County Auditor’s.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

What is a one-time request?

One-time requests are for goods or services that will require one-time expenditure of funds but are paid for with cash reserves, not new property taxes.

All approved requests listed below are preliminary. The commissioners will not make final decisions until the final budget hearing on Sept. 3.

Commissioners’ Office

Leadership MT Flagship Program - $28,160 - APPROVED

Would fund two Missoula County employees from Justice and District courts to attend the Leadership Montana Flagship Class. Classes require travel across the state for up to seven different events.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Mountain Towns Climate Solutions Summit 2027 - $6,900 - APPROVED

Would fund travel for the three county commissioners to attend the Mountain Towns Climate Solutions Summit in 2027. The location of the 2027 summit has not yet been announced and costs are an estimate.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

NACo 2026 Annual Conference - $13,200 - APPROVED

Would fund travel for four staff to the National Association of Counties 2027 Annual Conference in Savannah, Georgia from July 23-26, 2027.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

NACo 2027 Legislative Conference - $14,800 - APPROVED

Would fund travel for the three county commissioners and the chief administrative officer to the National Association of Counties 2027 Legislative Conference in Washington, DC, from Feb. 19-23, 2027.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Community and Economic Development

Marketing to sell available parcels - $20,000 - APPROVED

Missoula County owns and is planning to sell two parcels in the City of Missoula in the Development Park. This request is for marketing the parcels for sale.

Funding source: Cash from parcel sales

Preliminary engineering report for the Wye Water System - $50,000 - APPROVED

Would fund a preliminary engineering report to identify expansion options for the new Wye Water System that the county purchased in 2026.

Funding source: TIF remittance from the Wye 1 TEDD

Elections

New reporting computers - $7,608 - APPROVED

Would fund two new election reporting computers to be compliant with a required software upgrade to protect the privacy of vision-impaired voters while casting their ballots during a primary election. It would also provide a redundant system in case of emergencies.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Facilities

Airteq lock training for the Detention Center - $5,300 - APPROVED

Would send two people to AirTeq, which is the cell door system at the Detention Center, for additional training.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Pevco tube station training for the Detention Center - $5,500 - APPROVED

Would send two people to additional training on Pevco pneumatic tube system that is used at the Detention Center.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Missoula Public Library

Green Roof matching funds - $50,000 - APPROVED

Would fund the second half of matching funds required to proceed with the green roof project at the Library. The City of Missoula applied for and received a grant to replace a portion of the library roof to better address storm water coming off the roof of the library. The grant was awarded last year, and Missoula County approved the first half of the match for the grant in the FY26 budget.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Detention Center

PREA Audit for the Detention Center - $10,000 - APPROVED

Would fund the audit required by PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act). This audit is required every three years as part the contract with the U.S. Marshals.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Parks, Trails and Recreation

Demolition and removal of the Clinton Community Center - $85,000 – APPROVED FOR $5,000

Would fund the demolition and removal of the Clinton Community Center, which has been closed for over five years due to the presence of hazardous building materials and unsafe conditions. A Brownfields grant will pay for the abatement of the hazardous materials. Abatement is scheduled for 2026 and could leave the community center in a further state of disrepair that will pose as a liability and hazard to the public. Approved funding will pay for securing the building and boarding up windows.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Planning, Development and Sustainability

Climate Action Outreach - $5,000 - APPROVED

Would fund a variety of outreach efforts throughout the year related to county climate action goals and initiatives.

Funding source: Cash reserves

CWDG Wildfire Planning Match - $44,000 - APPROVED

Would provide matching funds required for the federal Community Wildfire Defense Grant, which Missoula County received in 2025. The grant proposal outlines a plan to create a wildfire planning program for Missoula County, focusing on proactive land use strategies to reduce exposure, adopt regulations for resilient new development, and increase home retrofits to mitigate wildfire risk at the community level on private and non-federal public lands. The program will prioritize site design, construction materials, fuels reduction and fire-resistant landscaping.

Funding source: Cash reserves

County Attorney

Two interns - $30,000 - APPROVED

Would fund two one-year internships at 10 hours per week in the County Attorney’s Office.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Technology

PDF remediation software - $25,000 - APPROVED

Would fund the purchase of a new software from CivicPlus called DocAccess. This would provide screen reader access to all pdfs hosted on missoulacounty.gov and move toward full compliance of digital documents ahead of the new 2027 deadline from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding website accessibility.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

General county operations

Staff support and training - $20,000 - APPROVED

Would fund additional support for staff for the ongoing implementation of new human resources and finance software. Missoula County is completing the two-year process of implementing two major modules of Workday that have and are fundamentally changing the way Missoula County does business to increase access and transparency to data.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Leadership development services - $30,000 - APPROVED

Would fund training opportunities through the Montana State University Local Government Center for elected officials, department heads and supervisors each year. These funds will be used to support various departments over the next year including the Commissioners’ Office, Technology, Elections and others. The funds will provide both one-on-one training for leaders as well as two group trainings that will be offered organization-wide.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

Contracted payments - $10,000 - APPROVED

Would fund payments to employees under employment contacts.

Funding source: TIF remittance from City URD

What is a ongoing request?

Ongoing requests are for goods, services or personnel that will require an ongoing funding source from property taxes unless otherwise noted.

All approved requests listed below are preliminary. The commissioners will not make final decisions until the final budget hearing on Sept. 3.

Central Services

Fleet Geotab Devices - $5,082 - APPROVED

Would fund Geotab devices for 22 county vehicles to facilitate vehicle maintenance and locating staff in an emergency.

Funding source: New property taxes (General Fund)

Community Justice Department

Hard funding Re-Entry Navigation Specialist position - $98,500 - DENIED

Would create a stable funding source for this position, which is currently funded by the Montana Crisis Diversion Grant through summer 2027.

Vehicle lease - $5,000 - APPROVED

Would replace the departments’ current vehicle with an annual lease for five years. This car is used to help transport clients, especially those who are working with the Watershed Navigation Center.

Funding source: New property taxes (Community Justice Department)

Detention Center

Create a new fund for future PREA audits - $3,500 - DENIED

Would create a new fund to cover PREA audit every three years, which is required as part of the jail’s contract with the U.S. Marshals. The fund would receive $3,500 annually.

Sheriff’s Office

Additional Courthouse Security Officer position - $83,050 - APPROVED

Would add an additional security officer position in the Missoula County Courthouse. This new position will operate the new security upgrades to the Annex entrance.

Funding source: New property taxes (General Fund)

Taser contract - $59,334 – PENDING

Would fund a contract provides for new Tasers, software and cartridges for Sheriff’s officers, the needed software and cartridges for a five-year period. Taser has moved away from a direct purchase to a service model and this contract reflects that change. Total additional cost of the contact is $296,670 over five years.

Ecology & Extension

New vehicle lease - $7,380 - APPROVED

Would replace a department-owned vehicle that broke down recently and is used for field work.

Funding source: Existing property taxes (County Extension Service)

Increase hours for Climate Resiliency Educator position - $11,727 - APPROVED

Would increase hours for the current Climate Resiliency Educator, which was initially funded by a federal grant in 2025 that was then rescinded. This position is currently .65 FTE (26 hours per week) and the department is requesting an additional .15 FTE (6 hours per week) to bring the position to .8 FTE (32 hours per week).

Funding source: Existing property taxes (County Extension Service)

Facilities

Part-time staff position - $33,994 - DENIED

Would move one part-time employee currently shared with another department to be a full-time Facilities employee.

Public Works

Increase to base budget - $750,000 - APPROVED FOR $408,000

Would fund an increase to base budget for asphalt and chipseal to address road and bridge projects. Example projects include larger re-paving of Big Flat Road, Blue Mountain Road, Pattee Canyon and Six Mile Roads. This request was approved as 3 mills, so the dollar figure will change each year.

Funding source: New, county-only property taxes (County Public Works - Road)

Technology

Two new positions - Deputy Director and IT support - $208,000 - APPROVED

Would be created using vacancy savings by moving two recently retired positions from GIS and Records Management. This new position would address workload concerns, and this person would be responsible overseeing staff who manage core issues related to hardware, software and network operations.

Funding source: Existing property taxes (County Tech Fund)

Increase for Tech User fee - $61,100 - APPROVED

Would increase the countywide Tech User fee by $80, which is the first increase since 2021.

Funding source: Department charges

Rate increase for Telephone Services - $78,060 - APPROVED

Would increase the countywide fee for telephone services to account for Partnership Health Center’s departure from county administration. This also sets the stage to move telephone services to cloud-based system.

Funding source: Department charges

While Missoula County collects taxes for all agencies and jurisdictions in the county, we do not keep all of them. Learn more about the taxes you pay to the County, City, schools and other agencies by viewing a pie chart breakdown for your property at itax.missoulacounty.us.

Below is a breakdown of property taxes and where they go, based on a real tax bill from a house in Lolo in for 2025-26: