Myth Busters!

This is True AND False.

TRUE: Missoula County now has more authority to change speed limits — but only on County roads. Thanks to a bill introduced by Missoula County Sen. Willis Curdy and signed into law by the governor, counties across Montana can now set speed limits below 35 mph on paved county roads in residential neighborhoods that meet certain density requirements.

FALSE: Missoula County cannot change speed limits on state highways, like Highway 93. That authority belongs to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT).

Under the old law, counties could only set speed limits below 35 mph on unpaved or gravel roads— not paved ones. That meant many posted speed limits on paved county roads weren’t legally enforceable. Now, with this update, counties can legally post lower, safer speed limits — like 25 mph — in dense residential areas where 35 mph is too fast.

This is FALSE.

Though they share a name (and sometimes work together), Missoula County and the City of Missoula are separate governments.

Missoula County is a general powers government — County commissioners can only make laws when the state specifically says they can. The City of Missoula has its own government structure. They collaborate on some things, but they don't govern each other.

If you live outside city limits, Missoula County is your local government. This includes: Bonner, Lolo, Clinton, Frenchtown, East Missoula, Seeley Lake, Turah, Huson, Condon and others. 

There are some shared services, including: Missoula Public Health, 9-1-1 and the Missoula Public Library. But when it comes to legislation or administration? They each run their own show.

This is FALSE.

Not quite. Most development starts with private landowners or developers — they decide what they'd like to build and where. Missoula County doesn’t pick the location or type of project. Instead, the County’s role is to make sure proposed developments follow local and state regulations, like subdivision and zoning rules, environmental health codes and building standards. These tools are some of the only ways the County can help manage growth.

For example, if someone wants to build a commercial development, the County checks that it meets all code requirements and is in the right zoning district — if it’s zoned at all. In unzoned areas, the County can’t limit whether a development is commercial, residential or industrial.

Even in zoned areas, the County can’t dictate exactly what gets built. So, if a neighborhood wants a grocery store but a developer proposes a brewery, and it fits the zoning, there’s nothing the County can do to swap one for the other.

Want to weigh in or learn more about what’s being proposed near you? Go to the Development Projects page to see current development proposals and share your input.

This is TRUE!

Tossing medications in the trash isn't safe — it can pose serious risks for public health, people, pets and the environment. Here's how to dispose of them the right way: dd

• Check the label. Some medications include specific disposal instructions. Always follow them if provided.
• Use a MedSafe drop box. These secure medication disposal drop boxes are often found at local pharmacies.
• No access to a drop box? If absolutely necessary, mix your meds with something gross — like used coffee grounds or kitty litter. Do not crush tablets or capsules. Place the mixture in a sealed bag and dispose of it in the trash. This helps keep curious kids, pets and others from getting into them.

National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is Saturday, April 26! Drop off your medications from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Missoula County Courthouse (west side). Several local pharmacies will also participate.

This is FALSE.

The Missoula Airport (MSO) is not owned by Missoula County. Instead, it is owned and operated by the Missoula County Airport Authority (MCAA)—an independent entity formed in 1977 to manage airport operations and long-term planning.

The MCAA oversees MSO's daily operations, maintenance, expansion and long-term planning for the airport. The Missoula County Commissioners appoints a seven-member board to govern the MCAA. MSO is self-sustaining—no local tax dollars fund its operations, maintenance, administration or promotion.

This is TRUE...but not exactly.

A voter is placed on the Inactive Voter Registration List for one of two reasons:

1. They did not vote in the last federal election and did not respond to two confirmation mailings from the county election office.
2. A mail ballot sent to them was returned as undeliverable, and they did not respond to a confirmation mailing from the county election office.

If you land on the Inactive list, you can still vote—but you need to update your registration or vote in an upcoming election to return to Active status.

Go to myvoterpagemt.com to check if your address and other info is current.

This is false. Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage. Most policies explicitly exclude flooding, whether from heavy rain or overflowing rivers and creeks. If you want protection, you need a separate flood insurance policy, typically from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. Without it, you’re on the hook for repairs, replacements and damages. NFIP provides coverage to property owners, renters and businesses, which helps them recover faster when floodwaters recede. Check your coverage and stay prepared.

This is

Elections happen every year, not just during even years. In fact, Montana’s election schedule is more varied than you might think! Here’s the breakdown of the different types of elections and when they are:

Federal & State Elections (Even Years)

In even-numbered years, you’ll vote for high-profile races such as: U.S. President, Congress, Governor, State Legislators, other statewide positions, such as the Secretary of State and Attorney General. Even years also bring ballot measures and local county races. In Montana, Primary Election Day is held in June and General Election Day is held in November.

Local & Special District Elections (Odd Years)

While big statewide and federal elections happen in even years, odd-numbered years are when the action hits close to home. These include: Municipal Elections, like Mayoral races, City Council and Municipal Court Judges. School Board Elections happen each May, regardless of the year. In Missoula, the May election in odd years often focuses on bond measures, levies and special district elections (like Community Councils).

Special Elections (Any Year!)

Special elections can happen any time—even in the middle of a calendar year. If a vacancy occurs, such as when someone resigns from office or dies, a special election will take place. Occasionally, an emergency measure, like funding or property taxes, could call for a special election in a local government or district.

So, whether you’re voting for a new president or library mill levy, elections in Montana and Missoula County happen year-round. Don’t sit out the odd years. Every election is an opportunity to shape our community. Your local government is counting on your vote! Stay engaged, and remember, your vote matters no matter the year.

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Building a berm or any structure along a riverbank can cause serious environmental damage, increase flooding risks for neighbors and even violate local, state or federal laws.

Rivers are dynamic systems, and altering their flow can lead to unintended consequences like erosion, habitat destruction and worsened flooding downstream.

Before making any changes, always check with local authorities (like the county floodplain office or environmental agencies) to ensure compliance with regulations.

Protecting your property doesn't need to come at the cost of damaging the river or your community.