What is Missoula County Doing About...?

West Riverside Infrastructure: In spring 2023, Missoula County staff launched a public engagement process in the West Riverside neighborhood. The goal of this project was to provide recommendations to the commissioners from and for the neighborhood on their vision for infrastructure and to establish an agreed-upon framework by the West Riverside community for engaging in conversations and decision-making with the County in the future. The feedback from the public and the structure of the events was very successful and is now being used as a model in other rural areas of the county. Read the full report here.

Bridge maintenance and replacement: Missoula County Public Works is responsible for more than 130 bridges across our communities, from Lolo and Frenchtown to Bonner and Condon. It’s no secret that maintaining transportation infrastructure is incredibly expensive, but we are committed to ensuring the safety of our residents while reducing the cost burden of these projects. While bridges are critical to our rural residents to provide emergency services, they are also susceptible to damage from flooding and general use over time.

Missoula County will soon submit a grant application for federal funding that would effectively leverage a $1 million investment to replace nearly $20+ million worth of bridges in the northern communities of Missoula County. This type of return on investment is monumental and could not be done without our partners at the Montana Department of Transportation. We are also grateful to the state legislators who wrote, introduced and voted for Senate Bill 536, which freed up state funds for local infrastructure projects. As with nearly everything we do in local government, complex projects require good connections and relationships across many jurisdictions.

Missoula County Public Works recently received $1 million from the Montana Department of Transportation and will put this toward the matching funds requirement in the federal RAISE grant application. Half of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program funds are earmarked for rural projects like these five bridges in Missoula County that need to be replaced:

• Sunset Hill Road Bridge over the Blackfoot River in Greenough
• Riverview Drive Bridge over the Clearwater River in Seeley Lake
• Boy Scout Road Bridge over the Clearwater River in Seeley Lake
• Glacier Creek Road Bridge over Glacier Creek in Condon
• Cold Creek Road Bridge over the Swan River in Condon

Additionally, in Feb. 2024 Missoula County announced that reports can be made to temporarily re-open Maclay Bridge.

Pavement management system: Missoula County worked with the City of Missoula and the Metropolitan Planning Organization to administer a pavement management system that will allow for better long-term planning and maintenance of paved roads throughout the County. You can see the annual work plan for Public Works by clicking here.

Mullan BUILD project: In 2019, Missoula County and the City of Missoula secured a $14 million federal BUILD grant to provide funding to build out the roads and other infrastructure west of Reserve Street, between Mullan Road and West Broadway. A network of complete streets to improve connectivity and provide access to 1,500 acres of developable land is being created and will increase housing stock, improve safety, reduce congestion, generate economic development and provide green spaces to connect sidewalks, trails and natural resources. The Sx͏ʷtpqyen* Area Master Plan helped establish the development plan in this area, and construction is currently underway.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Projects: Sewer and Water

Missoula County is using ARPA funding to pay for the following sewer and water projects:

• Sunset West Water System: The Sunset West system serves customers on the hill northwest of the Wye. The existing meter vault is underground and has experienced flooding in the spring. The area around the well will be regraded to route surface runoff away from the well. Piping, valves and appurtenances within the meter vault will be relocated to an above grade, insulated, pre-cast concrete structure to eliminate the potential of flooding due to surface water or groundwater. The structure will be lighted, heated and ventilated to allow operator access. In addition, accommodations will be made to allow for chlorination in the future Public Works plans to use three different sources of ARPA funding that total an estimated $383,925 to fund the proposed improvements.
• Lewis and Clark Sewer – Dosing Tank Replacement: The Lewis and Clark system is located in Clinton, and the project simply replaces the existing dosing tank that is due for replacement. The estimated cost is $80,000.
• Lolo Sewer and Water: The improvements in Lolo are estimated at around $8 million. The scope of the improvements includes a new 12-inch water main along Farm Lane/Lewis & Clark Drive, a 12-inch water main replacement along Glacier Drive, an 8-inch water main extension from the shopping center to Tyler Way, two new pumps and motors for Wells 1 and 2, replacement of six pressure relief valves, replacement of the existing Lift Station 1 pump, installation of a back-up lift station pump at Lift Station 1, a new force main from the Lift Station 1 to the treatment plant, replacement of the Lift Station 1 wetwell, installation of a new liner in the equalization basin, construction of a new mechanical dewatering facility, replacement of the old influent pump, replacement of two RAS pumps, modification of the existing biological process MLE, replacement of the aeration blowers, new perimeter fencing, and manhole and gravity sewer lining replacement.

ARPA Funding – Roads and Bridges: Public Works is contracting with several local engineering firms to develop 30% design plans for a range of road and bridge projects. Once the 30% design plans are complete, Public Works plans to use the plans to apply for available discretionary funding sources to pay for the remaining design and construction of the proposed projects. The following are the projects that are under development: Lolo Street Bridge (rehab), Sunset Hill Road Bridge (replacement), Boy Scout Road Bridge (replacement), Glacier Creek Road Bridge (replacement – Glacier Creek), Lothrup Bridge (rehab), Cold Creek Bridge (replacement), Swartz Creek Road Bridge (rehab), Van Buren Bridges (rail upgrades), South Avenue – 36^th to Blue Mountain (sidewalks, trail, irrigation, roadway improvements), Big Flat Road (slide repair/stabilization).

Additional parking near Sha-Ron Fishing Access: Missoula County, in partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the Montana Department of Transportation, Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization, Mountain Line, Clark Fork Coalition, JAG Construction were able to obtain the land and construct an additional parking lot near the Sha-Ron Fishing Access site off of Highway 200 in East Missoula. This additional parking lot will serve river recreators in the busy summer months to increase safety along the Highway 200 corridor. Now, river recreators can park in the lot as opposed to along the highway, or they can take a bus to the river access site. This lot finished construction in June 2023. Learn more.

John Engen Local Government Building: Missoula County and the City of Missoula acquired the former federal building in downtown Missoula (200 E. Broadway) in January 2023. Both governments have urgent space needs and aging facilities that would require large investments to maintain. Analysis showed that rehabilitating this building would be less or equal to the cost of building new or rehabilitating other existing spaces. Acquiring this building was the least expensive way to meet facility needs, preserve one of the most important historic buildings in Missoula and improve public service. The building was dedicated to the late Mayor John Engen in Nov. 2023.

The City and County will locate essential, day-to-day government service at the building. A welcoming lobby in the southwest corner of the building will allow residents to register vehicle titles, obtain a marriage license, pay a water bill or apply for a building permit. The building will host City Council and Board of County Commissioners meetings, and will facilitate the communication and joint planning that help the City and County work together to improve residents’ quality of life. The City and County are working toward a master plan for redevelopment and, to achieve substantial savings, will abate asbestos and other hazardous materials in the building using federal Brownfields grant funding from the Environmental Protection Agency. Following abatement, planning and the first phase of construction are projected to take at least two years. Abatement is anticipated to start in early 2024, which could allow for the transition of services to the building to start in 2026. Follow this project on engagemissoula.com.

Clerk and Treasurer’s Office Virtual Queue System: Missoula County residents who need to title a vehicle, renew their vehicle registration or pay property taxes have more direct control over their schedule thanks to an enhanced virtual queue system the Clerk and Treasurer’s Office launched. The public can join the line for these and other services from home, work or any other location by texting “Missoula Clerk” to 406-285-7490 or visiting the “Come See Us!” page at http://missoulaclerk.us. The queue opens each weekday at 7:30 a.m. and closes shortly before 5 p.m. Once in the queue, the system allows users to control their schedule by texting updates about service times so people can plan to be at the courthouse at the designated time. Users also have the option to move themselves in the queue if they need more time to commute to the courthouse, or they can leave the queue at any point.

iSAM, the subdivision and survey tracker: Missoula County has modernized the review process of subdivisions and surveys. A digital tracking and approval system allows streamlined, concurrent reviews by County departments. iSAM saves County staff and submitters’ time while increasing accuracy, capturing valuable data and facilitating communication and collaboration across County departments and with the public.

Building projects and permit guide: To ensure work is done safely and complies with local, state and international building codes, Missoula County requires permits for new construction and many other types of work on a property. Missoula County launched missoulacounty.build to guide homeowners through the process of applying for these permits In the past, the steps required to secure these permits have not always been clear, making the process seem confusing and cumbersome. Because information on permitting was previously scattered across separate department websites, applicants often didn’t know where to start. The permit guide is a one-stop virtual shop that simplifies information from the three departments that issue building-related permits: Public Works Building Division, Community and Planning Services, and the City-County Health Department.

Election integrity: Missoula County continually strives to administer fair, accurate and accessible elections. View the Election Integrity page to see all the steps the Elections Office takes on MissoulaVotes.com

Zoning code update: Zoning determines what kind of development can take place in an area, and a values-based approach to zoning helps create a community that’s a great place for everyone to live, work and play. In 2022, the Missoula Board of County Commissioners adopted the updated zoning code for the Missoula urban area outside city limits. In the lead-up to this adoption, the County's Lands and Communities Office (formerly known as Community and Planning Services) met with community and neighborhood council members, developers, real estate agents, architects, designers and other community members and stakeholders to gather input about the zoning code and how it could improve. The resulting zoning code included six core recommendations: align zoning with community values; correct zoning misalignment between city and county; incentivize density where appropriate; overhaul design standards to promote quality development; update code reorganization and formatting; and create unified code and enhance enforcement tools. Each year the County does maintenance on this zoning code to ensure it remains a useful document with few errors and no unintended consequences.

Mullan BUILD grant:

In 2019, Missoula County and the City of Missoula secured a $13 million federal BUILD grant to provide funding to build out the roads and other infrastructure west of Reserve Street, between Mullan Road and West Broadway. A network of complete streets to improve connectivity and provide access to 1,500 acres of developable land is being created and will improve safety, reduce congestion, generate economic development and provide greenspaces to connect sidewalks, trails and natural resources. The Sx͏ʷtpqyen* Area Master Plan helped to establish the development plan in this area, and construction is currently underway. Phase I, including a new roundabout on Mullan Road and additional roads, was completed in July 2023.

iSAM: The Interactive Subdivision Approval Monitor (iSAM) designed by the Missoula County Clerk & Recorder’s Office provides a snapshot of Missoula County development. iSAM depicts changes in development since 2018, including the number of newly created parcels, project locations and project types. The dashboard also gives insight into project approval timelines. Filters allow users to sort data to fit their needs and get a more complete picture of development in Missoula County.

Long Range Transportation Plan: Missoula Connect 2050: In February 2022, the commissioners adopted the new Long Range Transportation Plan. In Missoula, jointly between the County, City and Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Long Range Transportation plan is updated every four years to reflect the changing dynamics of the area. The 2021 Long Range Transportation Plan has a horizon of 2050, sets forth a direction and strategies to help shape the region’s transportation network, and considers all modes of transportation, including driving, walking, bicycling and transit, to help set priorities for the future. Funding and project prioritization are taken into consideration, as well as public input through surveys, workshops, online media and advisory committees.

Bear Smart Missoula: The increase in human habitation into wildlands and the increase in the Missoula Valley’s population has led to increased human-bear conflicts. The County and City recognize this creates a public safety hazard and leads to food-habituated bears having to be killed. City and County leaders are collaborating with the Bear Smart Working Group, made up of concerned residents, bear experts and agency representatives. The group has followed the Bear Smart Community program developed in British Columbia, Canada. The goal of this group is to address the root causes of human-bear conflicts, reduce the risks to human safety and private property and reduce the number of bears that must be killed or relocated each year.

In fall 2023, The Missoula City-County Health Board voted to expand the Bear Buffer Zone in the Missoula Valley and require garbage be stored in bear-resistant containers or enclosures throughout it. The old Bear Buffer Zone was established in 2010 and was limited to city properties. The expanded zone will encompass the upper Rattlesnake, Bonner, Pattee Canyon, Miller Creek, Big Flat, O'Keefe Creek, Butler Creek, Grant Creek and the Potomac area. Learn more about how Missoula is working toward being Bear Smart.

Wildfire Preparedness: Topography, vegetation and weather patterns make Missoula County particularly vulnerable to wildfire, especially as the County grows. Most Missoula County residents live within the Wildland Urban Interface, which is any area where the combination of development (like homes and businesses) and vegetation can result in increased risk of damage from wildfires. Missoula County provides numerous ways that homes can prepare for wildfires and mitigate risk to your property. Learn more.

River recreation parking: In the early summer of 2023, Missoula County, in coordination with other agencies, opened an additional parking lot near the Sha-Ron Fishing access site where river recreators can park in the summer months. This has helped with parking and safety concerns along Highway 200 in East Missoula. Learn more.

Development districts: Missoula County administers five tax increment districts: the Technology Tax Increment District, the Bonner Mill TIFID, the Wye TEDD, the Bonner West Log Yard TEDD and the Wye 2 TEDD. In these districts, which are designated as infrastructure deficient, incremental increases in property values that accrue from new development are directed to fund additional development activities within the district. A base year is established from which incremental increases in property values are measured. For example, if a district is valued at $100,000 the base year and $110,000 the next year, then the additional 10% in increased value would be reinvested back into the district instead of distributed with the base tax revenues. The County established the newest development district, the Wye 2 TEDD, in November 2023 . Click here to learn more.

Big Sky Trust Fund job creation grant approval: Missoula County commissioners are tasked with approving these grants, which are state funds to promote long-term stable economic growth in Montana communities. These grants or loans are awarded to businesses that pay at least $18 an hour in Missoula County.

Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority: Missoula County is leading efforts to establish the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, which is working to return passenger rail to southern Montana. This would boost tourism and economic development in the communities that passenger rail would service. Learn more at https://www.bigskyrail.org/

Brownfields Assessment Grant: Missoula County received a Brownfields Assessment Grant in 2019 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and then received another Brownfields Assessment Grant in 2022 in the amount of $500,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This new grant will allow the County to continue providing environmental site assessments and environmental cleanup and reuse planning in areas that are priorities for redevelopment in Missoula County, specifically in rural and urban-fringe communities. The previous Brownfields Assessment Grant was very successful, resulting in the assessment of more than 70 acres and the leveraging of more than $32 million in redevelopment investment, which stimulated commercial and much-needed affordable housing development. Currently, EPA Brownfields funding will go toward the abatement of asbestos and lead-based paint in the John Engen Local Government Building, which is necessary before construction can begin on the building.

Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund: Missoula County administers a Community Development Block Grant Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). The RLF is designed to stimulate economic development activity by providing loan and/or grant funds to create or retain jobs for low- and moderate-income persons. It can also be used to support housing, public facility and human service projects or programs that primarily benefit low- and-moderate-income persons.

Grant acquisition and management: Grants and Community Programs (GCP) staff acquired and/or managed more than $10.9 million in competitive grant and loan funds on behalf of Missoula County during fiscal year 2022. These funds help Missoula County programs stay afloat, lower property taxes, and help community organizations with their own funding needs.

100% Clean electricity for the Missoula urban area by 2030: In 2019, the Missoula County Commissioners and the Missoula City Council adopted a joint resolution that establishes a goal of 100% clean electricity for the Missoula urban area by 2030. As part of this effort, the County and City are working with NorthWestern Energy, the City of Bozeman and community partners to increase the supply of renewable energy and decrease demand via energy efficiency. Missoula County is also active at the state level on issues of energy policy and regulation that have implications for our ability to achieve 100% clean electricity. Missoula County has taken many steps in the journey toward 100% clean electricity, including:

• Memorandum of Understanding with NorthWestern Energy: NorthWestern Energy supplies 95% of the electricity consumed in the Missoula urban area. Following the adoption of 100% clean electricity, the County and City entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with NorthWestern Energy. The MOU, signed in June 2020, committed the three parties to work together to advance the clean electricity goal and requiring them to jointly develop an Implementation Plan that identifies specific projects and programs to be pursued along with timelines for each. The implementation plan was released in February 2021 for public comment. A summary of public comment can be found here.
• Green Power Program: The Green Power Program (formerly known as a renewable rate option or green tariff) is a program that would allow NorthWestern Energy customers to support and benefit from a new source of renewable energy in Montana, such as a new wind or solar farm. Local governments, businesses and residents would then have the option to subscribe to pay a special rate and receive a portion of their energy supply from this renewable energy source. By subscribing to the program, customers would pay the costs of the new renewable energy source over time and receive the benefits it produces, including the environmental benefits and the clean energy’s economic value on the market. The lead communities of the City of Missoula, Missoula County and the City of Bozeman have been working with NorthWestern Energy for the past several years to develop the Green Power Program. Developing the program is a key strategy for these lead communities to reach their respective 100% clean electricity goals. Now, these communities have reached an important milestone by requesting their elected officials adopt the term sheet negotiated with NorthWestern. While non-binding, the term sheet serves as the framework for how the program will work going forward. If the term sheet is adopted, the lead communities will consider entering into binding agreements to submit to the Public Service Commission. The Public Service Commission will then need to approve the Green Power Program before it’s available to the public. Following approval, the next step would be for the lead communities and NorthWestern to develop an RFP and solicit proposals for the new renewable energy project. Once the project is selected, local government and commercial and industrial customers will subscribe to purchase electricity from it. Learn more about this program here.

Carbon neutrality in government operations: Commissioners approved a resolution in 2019 adopting a goal of carbon neutrality for Missoula County government operations by 2035, with an intermediate goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 30% below 2016 levels by 2025. County staff are developing a plan to achieve this goal, which will involve improving the efficiency of County buildings and the County vehicle fleet and incorporating renewable energy into county operations.

• Solarizing the detention Facility: The Missoula County Detention Facility consumes the most electricity of all County buildings. In November 2021, the County installed a solar array at the detention facility to provide a clean electricity during daylight hours to offset this consumption. This is the largest roof top solar array in the state, and it will offset about 20% of the building usage. The array is expected to save Missoula County $400,000 over the life of the array.
• Energy Efficient Building Policy: In March 2021, Missoula County adopted an Energy Efficient Building Policy for new construction and major renovation projects. It requires that County owned buildings invest in energy efficiency, electrification, and/or renewable energy to meet energy use intensity targets.

Water heater rebate: Residents throughout Missoula County are now eligible to receive a $500 rebate for replacing water heaters in their homes with certain energy-efficient alternatives, thanks to a new rebate program Missoula County and the City of Missoula launched in 2023.

Residents who buy and install qualifying heat pump water heaters can apply online to receive the rebate by submitting proof of purchase and installation. Heat pump technology is more energy efficient than traditional electric or propane appliances because it extracts heat from an external source instead of generating it. Heat pump technology can be found in clothes dryers, water heaters and mini-split heaters and air conditioners. A list of more than 500 heat pump water heaters that qualify for this rebate are available online.

Building(s) for the Future: Missoula County is a partner with Climate Smart Missoula and the City of Missoula in the Building(s) for the Future initiative, with the goal of making Missoula homes and buildings healthier, more affordable, more comfortable and more energy efficient. As part of this effort, Electrify Missoula was launched to transition Missoula away from fossil fuels and towards a healthier, more affordable clean energy future.

Climate Ready Missoula: Missoula County, the City of Missoula and Climate Smart Missoula are leading a countywide effort to implement the Climate Ready Missoula plan to prepare our communities for the impacts of climate change, including reduced low elevation snowpack, earlier spring snowmelt, longer wildfire smoke seasons, more frequent and intense droughts and wildfires and impacts to agriculture, recreation and human health.

• Wildfire Smoke Ready Week: Together with Missoula Public Health Climate Smart Missoula, United Way of Missoula County, and other community partners, Missoula County has observes “Wildfire Smoke Ready Week” every year to increase awareness of the health impacts of wildfire smoke and the simple steps everyone can take to protect their health.

Commercial Property Assessed Capital Enhancement (C-PACE) program: In February 2022, the commissioners approved a resolution of intent to establish a county-wide C-PACE program. This allows commercial property owners to invest in energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable energy systems and pay those investments back through an assessment on their property taxes. Owners of commercial, industrial, agricultural and multifamily properties of at least four units are eligible to participate. There is no cost or impact on any property owner who do not choose to participate in the program, and participating commercial property owners work with private lenders to finance projects, which are then repaid through their property taxes.

Missoula Clean Energy Workforce Coalition: This coalition, supported by Missoula County, the City of Missoula, Climate Smart Missoula, Missoula Economic Partnership and Mountain Home Missoula, will create a pre-apprentice training program for low-income women and women of color to get into the clean energy field. The coalition plans to help those taking part in the training with stipends for childcare, transportation and mentorship. This coalition started in June 2023 and was awarded a series of grants, leading up to winning second place in a national U.S. Department of Energy competition, which awarded them $50,000. This program will also receive help from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy, which has the goal of “advancing city efforts for workforce growth in the infrastructure, manufacturing and clean energy fields by building more pathways into good jobs through skill development.” Learn more.

Food Policy Advisory Board: This city-county advisory board works to increase local food security, promote sustainable agriculture, build regional self-reliance and climate resiliency, and connect food access programs to local, nutritious food.

Mountain Line support: Missoula County contributes $20,000 a year as a Mountain Line Zero-Fare partner to help support clean, sustainable transportation in our communities.

Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority: Missoula County led efforts to establish the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, which is working to return passenger rail to southern Montana. Passenger rail through Montana’s most populated communities would provide options for cleaner, more efficient transportation. Learn more at https://www.bigskyrail.org/

Aquatic Invasive Species District: The Missoula County Aquatic Invasive Species District is the first and only county AIS district in Montana. Created in 2020, the purpose of the district is to coordinate the prevention, monitoring and management of AIS within the county as well as educate people living and recreating within Missoula County on the identification and impacts of aquatic invasive species to the environment and our economy. Prevention includes setting up watercraft inspection stations located at major travel corridors and important watersheds. To monitor, the AIS district works with partners such as the Clearwater Resource Council, Swan Valley Connections, Blackfoot Challenge and Fish, Wildlife and Parks to collect water and plant samples to see if there are indications of invasive species present in that waterbody.

Partnership Health Center Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee: PHC is committed to ensuring a healthy community and acknowledges this is not possible without racial justice and equity for all. PHC is taking thoughtful actions to address racism and biases surrounding gender, sexuality, class, religion and ability. The PHC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisory committee is exploring conventional and creative approaches to provide equitable footing for patients, staff and the community. The committee is developing initiatives with associated measurable goals in the following areas: healthcare services, hiring approach, staff training, community partners and advocacy/policy.

Missoula Invest Health: This collaborative initiative, led through the Missoula City-County Health Department with team members from Providence St. Patrick Hospital, United Way of Missoula County, City of Missoula and NeighborWorks Montana, tracks local demographics and health data and engages with community residents who face persistent barriers to health. The goal is to collectively create system and policy changes designed to give all residents the opportunity to thrive and achieve a good quality of life.

Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator: Missoula County hired an ADA coordinator to help the County stay in compliance and keep in mind ADA needs at meetings, events, online and elsewhere.