Capital Improvements - Preliminary Budget Request

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panels at the Missoula Public Health building as the current panels are about 15-20 years old and are connected via outdated landlines.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