[0:14] Madame Clerk, would you please call the roll. City attorney doctor. Here. City manager, like, here. Commissioner Reed. Here. Commissioner Rigby. Here. Commissioner Gustafson. Here. Commissioner Logan. Here. Mayor Dean. Here.

[0:30] First up on our agenda, we have board and committee at states.

[0:40] I am recommending the following citizen board appointments.

[0:44] First to the Helena Housing Authority, the reappointment of Brook,

[0:48] close-lane to a second to your term as a resident representative member of the Helena Housing Authority

[0:55] with the term expiring on August 1st, 2028.

[0:58] The appointment of Tim Burton to a first five-year term as a housing commissioner of the

[1:04] Helena Housing Authority with the term expiring on August 1, 2021 for the Helena Public

[1:11] Arts Committee, the appointment of Miles O'Reilly to an interim term as member at large of the

[1:17] Helena Public Arts Committee, the interim term will expire on December 31, 2021, and on the

[1:27] first four-year term as a representative of owner or manager of a property within the district

[1:33] of the tourism business improvement district with a term expiring on June 30th, 2030,

[1:39] any questions, comments, discussions from the commission.

[1:44] All right, is there any public comment on the Board of Pointments?

[1:49] Okay, seeing no public comment, I will entertain a motion.

[1:56] Mayor Dean.

[1:57] Yes, Mr. Rigby.

[1:58] I will entertain or I will make the motion, my computer is not loading.

[2:02] So I will make the motion to approve the board appointments.

[2:11] Second, it's been moved and seconded.

[2:13] Seeing no additional discussion, Madam Clerk, could you please call the roll?

[2:17] Commissioner Reed.

[2:18] Commissioner Rigby.

[2:20] Commissioner Gustafson.

[2:21] Commissioner Logan.

[2:24] The motion carries five to zero.

[2:26] All right.

[2:27] We move on to proclamations.

[2:30] City of Hell in a Proclamation, whereas Tuesday, September 8th, 2026 marks 988 day, an annual

[2:39] day of action dedicated to spreading awareness of the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline

[2:45] and emphasizing the importance of mental health support.

[2:49] And whereas the 2026 theme is 988 reasons, your reason is reason enough, reminding our community

[2:57] that whatever someone is facing, big or small, the reason for seeking support is reason enough to

[3:03] call or text 988 or chat 988 lifeline.org. And whereas a day of action encourages all

[3:11] city of Helena residents to engage in discussions with friends and loved ones about mental health.

[3:17] And whereas city of Helena residents can participate in 988 day activities, including a 988

[3:23] tech to scavenger hunt, trainings, and support groups focusing on family support, youth, veterans,

[3:30] and more. And whereas, increasing awareness of 98-8-day helps ensure more people know

[3:36] that compassionate support is available whenever they need it. And whereas, 98-8-day provides

[3:42] another crucial step in the right direction to build a safer and more supportive community.

[3:47] Now, therefore, I, Emily K. Dean, mayor of the City of Helena, do hereby proclaim September

[3:53] 8th, 2026, as 988 in the City of Helena, and encourage all residents to learn about

[4:00] the 98 suicide and Christ of Slyfeline, support suicide prevention efforts, and help

[4:05] spread the message that help is available by calling texting 98 or chatting through the 98

[4:21] And we have a couple of representatives from the Behavioral Health Advisory,

[4:29] Wilson Clerk County Behavioral Health Advisory Council.

[4:32] Please go ahead.

[4:35] Hi, my name is Aaron Olson.

[4:37] Thank you, Mayor Dean, and thank you to the commission.

[4:40] This has been a long time coming.

[4:42] They're so proud and I am so proud as a representative of the LAC2, except this proclamation.

[4:49] Nineteate has been an amazing program and it is saving lives across the nation.

[4:55] That's a big thanks to John Tab and Carl Rossen for keeping that message moving forward.

[5:00] And our county and state officials for keeping this moving.

[5:04] Ms. Jessica has some stuff she would like to share and she's been really pushing for this to get through.

[5:10] So thank you all for your time.

[5:11] really appreciate it. Thank you.

[5:20] Is it green?

[5:25] Perfect. So thanks a lot. I just wanted to

[5:29] say a few words. By spreading this message today, we are shining a light on this resource

[5:36] that's available 24, 7. Any time anywhere someone called this number does not matter

[5:41] their age or their need, no crisis is too small. So we appreciate working together to get

[5:49] us out there into the community, it just shows that we all have a role to play and spreading

[5:53] the awareness.

[5:54] We have a TikTok toast scavenger hunt that is posted on the Liz and Clark Suicide Prevention

[6:00] website.

[6:01] We'll also be having hosted various locations around town and that's going on throughout

[6:06] the month of September, which is National Suicide Prevention Month.

[6:11] Also, at Public Health, we keep a variety of stickers and magnets thanks to the state.

[6:17] They created an art contest with students from around Montana and this beautiful mountain design is featured on these, so if anyone needs stickers, posters, anything for their place at business, they are welcome to come by public health and pick those up.

[6:32] So thank you. Thank you for your time. Appreciate that.

[6:35] Thank you, Jessica.

[6:36] And commissioners, we're going to step down, present the proclamation and take a photo.

[7:16] And I will note that Councillor Gustafson is our current representative on the

[7:21] behavioral health local advisory committee and I'm very much

[7:23] appreciate for her bringing this proclamation forward today.

[7:28] All right, we will-

[7:30] Local move along to communications and proposals from commissioners, any thoughts from commissioners? Yes, commissioner read.

[7:38] Thank you, Mayor Dean. Just briefly, I want to say congratulations to the school district for the start of another great year.

[7:44] To the students, parents, educators, teachers, kids, everyone, great weekend of sports, all throughout our community.

[7:50] And thank you very much for everyone who made it a good first week. Yes, commissioner, thank you.

[7:56] Thank you, Mayor Dean.

[7:58] Just a little, if everyone could bear with me,

[8:01] I just got a little short story.

[8:03] Was in the backcountry in Glacier a couple of weeks ago.

[8:07] And just, you know, he gets permits

[8:08] and you get your camps spot and so we're just sitting around

[8:12] and met this guy and he's from the Midwest

[8:15] and he said he comes to Montana since 1988

[8:19] and I told him I was from Helena.

[8:22] And he said he is a musician

[8:23] and he played music last week

[8:25] And he just really, and I didn't, I didn't tell him I was obviously, I don't go to the back country to tell people in the city commissioner.

[8:32] And it's kind of reason why I go there.

[8:34] But anyway, he just could not get over every time he comes to the city,

[8:38] how great the people are, how friendly they are, and then how clean our city is.

[8:44] He's like, sometimes I have to look for the, he said, and I quote,

[8:48] sometimes I have to look and like, is that a paper cup?

[8:51] Nope, it's not.

[8:52] He was just very impressed that how clean and wonderful everyone from the city of Helleness and so that was super cool to hear and I just want to pass that along everybody so citizens and staff great job and yes helleness, great place to live. So thank you.

[9:09] Nice, thanks to both of you. Any other thoughts from commissioners.

[9:14] Okay, we'll move along to report of the city attorney.

[9:19] Mayor Commissioners, I have nothing to report, but I do have a question for Commissioner

[9:24] Rigby.

[9:24] Who was the musician?

[9:26] Is the question?

[9:31] Didn't ask him if I could use his name, but his first name was Bill, so he was at 10

[9:35] miles last Thursday.

[9:39] So Google and you will find out,

[9:45] okay, report of the city manager.

[9:49] Thank you, Mayor.

[9:49] being good evening, everyone, quite a few announcements this evening, so bear with me as well.

[9:55] Labor Day is upcoming next Monday, our city offices will be closed as well as transit, municipal

[10:01] county, and transfer station as well. Sorry, municipal court.

[10:07] Long-range transportation plan and the special events surveys close today. We did extend both

[10:13] of those deadlines for you to give a little bit more time since we had such great feedback.

[10:17] And in update on special events, we do for C coming up with some amendments to that code.

[10:23] I believe looking at city attorney next few weeks, we're looking at having a draft.

[10:29] Maybe next month for the commission.

[10:32] All right, moving on transfer stations, some updates there.

[10:36] They are now accepting cooking oil.

[10:39] They have also, you may notice, have moved some recyclable containers outside at the entrance of the transfer station.

[10:45] so you can now donate your recyclables without having to go fully into the transfer station.

[10:52] And it sounds like there's also going to be a paint exchange later this month as well.

[10:58] On that note, I'd like to thank public works for leading an excursion up the red mountain

[11:02] flume a few weeks ago. Staff and commissioners were able to attend. I know personally for

[11:09] myself, it was just a great overview of all the great work that our public work steam does.

[11:15] Their current project was a project to replace some aging infrastructure by bearing some pipe to eliminate some of the water loss that happens there and really increasing that reliability for a Helen is drinking water.

[11:28] Moving on to IT, some of you are aware we've been going through a phone transition, so much of our system is moving from hard phones to soft phones that has not been without its tribulations, so special shout out to our county IT team who have been navigating that very well.

[11:45] In the meantime, I know some members of the public have been having a hard time getting a hold of us,

[11:49] so we appreciate your patience. We are working hard to make sure that we're getting those issues resolved.

[11:54] But in the meantime, if you are having issues getting a hold of us, please just send us an email or send us a public comment to our public comment for them.

[12:04] Municipal court is changing some of their hours, so new hours for open court starting tomorrow, September 1st.

[12:11] Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, check in will now be at 9.15 with appearances starting at 9.30.

[12:18] I did want to remind the commission that our Employee Appreciation Luncheon is next Wednesday's September 9,

[12:24] starting at 11 a.m. at the Civic Center. You are all invited to attend if you are able.

[12:31] And next, I would like to turn it over to Director Ryan from the BID. They've been doing some great efforts toward our graffiti removal efforts across the city.

[12:40] So we wanted to take a chance to highlight that.

[12:44] Mr. Ryan.

[12:47] Thank you.

[12:48] Good evening, Mayor and commission.

[12:51] My name is Alicia Ryan.

[12:52] I'm the executive director of the Helen of Business Improvement District.

[12:55] And we thought we'd bring you just a glimmer of good news.

[12:59] That's what we all need, right?

[13:01] So my very capable colleague, Abigail Dolan,

[13:07] comprised some graffiti statistics for us.

[13:10] The BID, I don't know if you know it, but we contract every year for graffiti removal for the district.

[13:19] I wanted to let you know about it as well as we try to let our businesses know about it and have also encouraged parks department to call us if they need us for any graffiti removal.

[13:32] We have an increase in the number of what they call slap tags, little stickers on walls and

[13:41] Lampose and that kind of thing.

[13:43] That's kind of high.

[13:44] But those are easily removed.

[13:49] Fliers that are posted taped on again, those same walls and Lampose are also up.

[13:58] but I think the most encouraging thing and that little bit of hope is the number of instances

[14:10] where businesses, size of businesses, sidewalks have been defaced by spray paint is declining.

[14:18] So that's a good thing because this is also the hardest substance to remove.

[14:24] Clean slate does a great job, especially on historic surfaces, and that is down from 2024

[14:34] since when this report was first compiled.

[14:40] So we had to tell them to go easy this past week.

[14:43] We didn't want them destroying or taking away any of the chalk up Helena artwork downtown

[14:49] and they respected that.

[14:51] They did a good job.

[14:52] So, just wanted to bring you a little bit of good news that spray painting is down and let's hope I haven't jinxed it tonight.

[15:00] Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Ryan. Thank you, Director Ryan. We appreciate all the work of you and your team.

[15:08] All right. Lastly, we have a spirit of Helena Award presentation this evening. This is for the month of July.

[15:16] As you were recall, this is a award that we do jointly with the Chamber of Commerce to really honor individuals who exemplify the values character and community spirit that make Helena exceptional.

[15:26] to your point commissioner Rigby. We have a lot of great folks here in our community. It really celebrates residents who go above and beyond service to others. So we would like to take a moment to honor John Murdy. Before he comes up, I'd like to call Kelly Ashton from the Chamber to say a few words as well.

[15:46] Good

[15:50] evening everybody. This is our second spirit of Helena Award and one of the things I love most about this award is that it recognizes people who make our community stronger, not because they have to but because they genuinely care.

[16:04] The award celebrates the leadership, the service and integrity to improving life for others and there may be few people who embody those qualities more completely than John Murray.

[16:14] If you've spent any time downtown, chances are you've seen John.

[16:18] He's the first person who raises his hand when people need help and he always seems to

[16:23] end up with the jobs that nobody else is eager to do.

[16:26] Whether he's working at 10-mile Creek Brewery or at the Hawthorne, keeping our downtown

[16:30] clean, cleaning up after events at the Murna Lawyer, or tackling the countless tasks that

[16:35] never appear on anyone's job description, John shows up and he gets things done.

[16:40] I've had the privilege of seeing that commitment firsthand through my work at the Chamber of Commerce.

[16:46] John is a constant present at our downtown Chamber and community events.

[16:50] He's always willing to help, always willing to pitch in, and always looking for ways to make Helen a better.

[16:56] One of my favorite examples of John's community-minded thinking was his idea to place QR code stickers around in our downtown businesses

[17:04] that helped connect people directly to our community events calendar.

[17:07] It was such a simple, but powerful idea, helping visitors and residents alike discover what's

[17:13] happening in Helena that day and encouraging them to get involved in our community.

[17:18] But that's John.

[17:19] He's always thinking about how to connect people to support local business and make Helena

[17:24] an even more welcoming place.

[17:27] Communities need people like John Merdy, the ones who work quietly in the background, making

[17:32] sure things run smoothly, they take care of their neighbors and they help create the sense

[17:37] community that has always made Helen a special. John, thank you for your ideas, for your generosity,

[17:44] your support, and your unwavering dedication to Helena. You make this community better every single

[17:50] day and we are all fortunate to benefit from your kindness and service. Congratulations on being

[17:55] our July spirit of Helen Award recipient. Thank you, Ms. Asham, and I'd like to take a moment also

[18:01] to recognize Abigail Dolan from B.I.D. as well. Thank you so much for nominating John for the

[18:07] award. And I'd like to give you a few moments as well to say a few words if you'd like.

[18:18] Hello. I'm Abigail Dolan. I'm the program manager of B.I.D. I was one of the people that nominated

[18:24] John, however, it wasn't just me. I had six different business owners approached me asking me to nominate

[18:32] John, as soon as the award went live.

[18:36] So I think that speaks to how many business owners

[18:39] and people of downtown just like really love and respect

[18:44] John.

[18:45] And this is the message that they all came together

[18:49] to write.

[18:51] John Merdy is a selfless walking Helena history book

[18:54] who embodies what the spirit of Helena award immunaries.

[18:58] Always the first volunteer at any downtown event.

[19:01] He intentionally chooses the task no one else desires.

[19:04] He has official jobs, swamper,

[19:06] for 10-mile creek brewery in Hawthorne,

[19:09] and deez the trash for a BID,

[19:11] includes a theater after shows at the Merinole Way.

[19:14] Beyond those, he quietly handles

[19:15] what no one else has designed to him,

[19:17] sorting recyclables from downtown trash,

[19:20] saving at least a ton from the dump.

[19:22] Weeding neglected corners, cleaning dogways

[19:25] from sidewalks and parks,

[19:27] tending to readers Ali and 100 others small,

[19:29] but mighty tasks that keep all in a running smoothly.

[19:32] John leads by silent action and integrity.

[19:36] He never asks what he might gain from a task.

[19:38] He only asks how it will benefit his neighbor.

[19:41] He knows almost every service worker by name

[19:44] and checks in on them often.

[19:46] He doughnates more than half of his paycheck

[19:48] to sustain the flower program downtown

[19:51] and help nonprofits in their mission.

[19:53] Most of the time, you'll find him in the back of the room,

[19:55] shifting his weight, watching to make sure everyone else

[19:58] is having a good time.

[20:01] Once a worker invited him to the ballet,

[20:03] out of the gratitude for his kindness,

[20:06] touch that someone was returning it.

[20:08] He showed up in a tutu to make sure everyone smiled

[20:11] and reminded them that life doesn't have to be so serious.

[20:15] He also will never turn down the opportunity

[20:17] to dawn the big foot costume to make kids laugh

[20:20] at life on the couch.

[20:23] He can try the patience of some.

[20:24] He's not known to win any speed races,

[20:26] But John Murdy has watched buildings rise, be remodeled, and come down again.

[20:32] He's more than likely Helena's best expert on the pre-imposed effect of urban renewal.

[20:38] He knows that slow and steady wins the race, and that doing a job right means not rushing at all.

[20:44] All John wants to do his help.

[20:46] Helena can't function without city managers and commissioners that make the big decisions,

[20:51] but it also can't function without the people who were quietly in the background, largely unnoticed.

[20:55] down town, and I might not fully realize I get, but we really couldn't do it without John.

[21:02] Thanks.

[21:03] Thank you, Mr. Olon.

[21:05] I'll now turn it over to commissioners if there's any comments before we call on Mr. Murdy-up.

[21:11] Commissioners.

[21:12] Mr. Gustafson?

[21:13] You can think this off.

[21:14] Okay.

[21:14] Well, just briefly because I know John maybe doesn't love the attention.

[21:19] But I had the pleasure of working with John,

[21:21] And my first job after college when I moved back to Helena at the Panhandler, a lot of people

[21:27] are nodding, they know the Panhandler, and I was just doing the math, 19 years ago.

[21:32] And I really learned a lot about customer service, and how to be a member of the community

[21:37] John really welcomed everyone into the store with so great at knowing, you know, not where

[21:42] the labored cheese slicers were, but also what someone might really need that day.

[21:47] So I learned a lot from John almost 20 years ago, and I'm glad that he's still such

[21:50] strong influence on our downtown community. So thank you, John.

[21:56] Yes, Commissioner Reed. Thank you, Mayor Dean, and I can't make eye contact. There we go.

[22:01] I'm going to lean over here so I can see John again, not to to go on too long, because I think it

[22:07] was really well set already, but John probably doesn't remember me coming into the panhandler

[22:11] when I first moved here in 2013, but I needed a gift from my mother-in-law, and I was struggling,

[22:16] and he was so nice, and it struck me as, wow, this is the kind of place I moved to, and I never

[22:21] forgot it. And now I think John is as much a part of Helena as the power block and the

[22:25] Gulch itself, and I am very grateful for him and everything he does for our community.

[22:32] Thank you, Mayor Dean. Thank you for everything else you do, John. You're always there. Everyone knows you there. But we know you don't want us to know you're there. So you do a great job. And I think that's what Bill was talking about in the backcountry on how great everybody is in hell and on and everything that you do for us. So thank you very much. Well deserved.

[22:54] Yeah, Mayor Dean, thank you, John, thanks for your service to Helen and this is a very well deserved award.

[23:04] And, John, I think, well, I'm not going to repeat anything, but your, I think everyone is always struck by your humility

[23:12] and your just ability to kind of get in and do it all and yet it's, you know, have no interest in any of the accolades

[23:24] or anything else, I mean, you are very much, probably one of the most recognizable people in Helena by far, and I don't know that that's not why you do any of this.

[23:36] And we really appreciate everything that you do to make our community function like it does, and I think you are just the epitome of why this award exists, and we're so excited to celebrate you tonight.

[23:47] So with that, if you want to come up, you don't have to say if you were, but if you'd like to, we'd love to hear from you.

[24:14] I think it might be on. Is it green? Okay. Well, thank you. I'm not sure what else to do.

[24:21] We appreciate you. I appreciate Helena. I appreciate everybody. I see people every day that, yeah,

[24:34] they're very nice to me.

[24:35] Yes, and I always appreciate the customers, I always appreciate this, people just, I just, yeah, thank you, Kim.

[24:45] Thank you, John.

[25:02] All

[25:06] right,

[25:20] everybody get in there.

[25:24] Perfect.

[25:25] Are they looking?

[25:27] Hi, yo.

[25:29] Good job.

[25:57] Okay. Next on our agenda, we have communications from the Helena Citizens Council.

[26:06] Check, hyper.

[26:10] Good evening, Mary and commissioners. For the record, my name's Ben Kiper. I'm the chair of the Helena Citizens Council.

[26:15] We met last Thursday and we passed a recommendation regarding the long range transportation plan.

[26:21] Since that was passed on Thursday, I don't know if you've gotten that yet.

[26:25] But if we could do a five to ten minute presentation at one of the upcoming admin meetings that would be appreciated.

[26:31] Other than that, we are trying to drive, turn out to the next listening session regarding the budget and our next meeting will be the fourth Thursday of September at 530.

[26:45] Unless there's any questions, wraps up my report.

[26:49] Thank you, Chair Kaper.

[26:50] And we did, I think I saw the email come in this afternoon.

[26:53] Perfect.

[26:54] Okay. Any questions or comments for Chair Kaper?

[26:57] Councillor Guestison.

[26:58] Not sure the process, but I'd be in some sort of having them presented at the admin meeting.

[27:03] I see it. Manager Lake is writing it down.

[27:05] So I'm sure we'll have an update later.

[27:07] All right. If I may just let me know when that's going to be.

[27:10] And I can get the people there.

[27:11] Excellent. We'll have staff get in touch with you.

[27:13] All right. Thank you.

[27:13] anything spent. Okay, we'll go ahead and move along to our regular items.

[27:24] Actually, not regular

[27:25] items. We have no regular items. We'll move on to public hearings. So item A of our public

[27:30] hearings consider resolution specifying the assessment option for the special urban forest

[27:35] management district. For fiscal year, 2027 and living assess all property within the district.

[27:43] Our Parks Director, Doug Smith.

[27:48] Good evening Mayor, commissioners.

[27:50] We're here before you for the third time, over the past 30 days,

[27:56] for the commission to consider a resolution,

[27:59] specifying the assessment option for the special urban forest

[28:02] management district for fiscal year 2027,

[28:07] and levy and assess on all properties within the district.

[28:11] We've come before the commission previously in an administrative meeting on Wednesday, August 12th.

[28:17] And once again, Monday, August 17th.

[28:21] We're here today with staff recommendation to recommend move to approve a resolution specifying the assessment option for the special urban forestry management district.

[28:32] For fiscal year 2027, and Levy and assessed on all property within the district.

[28:40] Okay, questions or comments for the director.

[28:47] Yeah, go ahead.

[28:48] Commissioner Nessipsen.

[28:49] Thank you, Mayor Dean.

[28:51] And I know that I third time on this.

[28:53] So I just want to say again, I think that this is an important program for the city of

[28:58] Helena.

[28:58] Your team does great work both managing the current canopy and replacing the canopy as it

[29:02] needs it.

[29:03] I think having green spaces is key to a livable city.

[29:06] So thank you for this.

[29:07] And thank you to the citizens for putting this district in place in 2023.

[29:12] I think it's a good service to our community.

[29:14] So thanks.

[29:17] Yes, Commissioner Rigby.

[29:18] Thank you, Mayor Dean.

[29:19] I just for clarification.

[29:21] From the on the, sorry, I didn't see it earlier until just now.

[29:26] But the, there's five, six, six, six,

[29:29] 50 in the present situation and then in the resolution.

[29:33] It says five hundred and fifty six,

[29:36] six hundred and fifty.

[29:37] Just wanted to make sure.

[29:39] The number in the resolution was right.

[29:43] I'm going to have to defer to the finance department.

[29:47] Sorry.

[29:49] I talked about the last time and I forgot.

[29:51] Yes, so I think you weren't here.

[29:57] Mr. Clean.

[29:58] Yes.

[29:59] I believe the...

[30:00] I don't think we updated it in the memo after we came to the conclusion. We can increase it as much as we anticipated.

[30:09] So in the just for everyone's education in the resolution we have annual assessment, current fiscal year twenty six thirty nine dollars proposed F or twenty seven forty dollars and seventeen cents that reflects that one dollar and seventeen cents increase.

[30:27] That's limited.

[30:29] Based on how the district was created.

[30:32] Mayor that is correct.

[30:34] All right.

[30:35] Seeing no additional comments.

[30:37] Is there any public comment on this item?

[30:40] Any public comment?

[30:45] Any public comment?

[30:48] Okay, seeing no public comment?

[30:50] Any additional discussion?

[30:53] Okay, seeing no additional discussion.

[30:54] I'll entertain a motion.

[30:55] Mayor Dean.

[30:55] Commissioner Read.

[30:56] I move to approve a resolution specifying the assessment option for a special urban forest management district.

[31:02] For fiscal year 2027 and Levy and assess on all property within the district.

[31:10] It's been moved and seconded, so you know additional discussion, Madam Quirk, could you please call the roll?

[31:16] Commissioner Reed.

[31:18] Commissioner Reakley.

[31:19] Commissioner Gustafson.

[31:21] Commissioner Logan.

[31:22] All right.

[31:22] Mayor Dean.

[31:24] The motion carries five to zero.

[31:26] Okay.

[31:26] Item B. Consider a resolution establishing a new large taxpayer reserve fund.

[31:33] Two, three, eight, miss McLean.

[31:38] Good evening, Mayor.

[31:39] So, this resolution is to establish the large taxpayer reserve fund.

[31:45] This is related to Senate Bill 111,

[31:50] that passed in the last legislature.

[31:52] This allows us to assess an additional 10% of all other classes

[31:57] in addition to the 40% of newly taxable property that we are

[32:01] other wise able to levy and putting this money aside allows us to plan for the future.

[32:09] It's a reserve fund so if one of the large taxpayers in the 20% is the definition of a large

[32:16] taxpayer in the city of Helena where to seize operations or have a significant decrease

[32:20] in taxable value, this would give us some options, there are specific situations in which

[32:26] that money can be used and it can also be used if we were required to pay the department

[32:32] revenue for any technology, enhancing the assessment of newly taxable property, and with that,

[32:37] I'll stand for questions.

[32:40] Any questions or comments, or I'm just going to claim yes, Mr. Guests have sent.

[32:44] Thank you, Mayor Dean.

[32:46] It's not in this piece of the packet, but I saw later in the packet that for this year,

[32:50] the contribution is $8,000 and change.

[32:54] Is that correct?

[32:55] Okay.

[32:55] Yes, Mayor Krisher, that is correct.

[32:56] And then does that automatically carry over every year?

[33:00] And then we do the same, like once we create this fund,

[33:03] does the same percentage go in every year and it grows?

[33:06] Or how do I maybe we don't know that since this is new?

[33:09] Mayor Commissioner, so it's 10% of the newly taxable property for each year.

[33:14] So this year it came out to that.

[33:16] I think it's 8784.

[33:17] And then next year when we get our newly certified values,

[33:19] we would do that calculation of the 10% again.

[33:26] Okay.

[33:27] No additional questions.

[33:29] Is there any public comment on this?

[33:31] I'm going to have a question.

[33:32] Yep.

[33:33] Just had a curiosity.

[33:34] Do we have to level this?

[33:38] Mayor, commissioners, we do not have to.

[33:40] It is optional.

[33:42] But staff recommends it just to plan for the future.

[33:44] Because if we don't do it, then if one of those situations,

[33:48] where it happened, one of those triggering events,

[33:50] then we have to find that money in our regular budget.

[33:52] And we don't have anything set aside for it.

[33:54] Okay. Thank you. Yep. And I wonder, Ms. McLean, just to, this is new. Yes. And this is as a

[34:01] result of SB 1117. Yeah, 1117. So we are not, we would normally get 100% of the newly taxable values.

[34:18] We are now only getting 75%, but the missing 25%, it's 10% of that that is going into this

[34:29] fund.

[34:29] Is that accurate?

[34:31] Mayor Commissioner.

[34:32] So it's 75% of certain class of properties and then it's 40% of classes 1, 2, and 4,

[34:43] And this allows us to take 10% more on those classes one, two, and four instead of 40 would be 50.

[34:49] Yeah, kind of. Okay. So we're still not necessarily. We're not realizing what we use to, but this

[34:56] is a potential backstop, you know, should we have not that would fix it, but should there be, you know,

[35:05] something happens. Merry Christmas, that's great. Okay, great.

[35:08] All right, so seeing no additional questions, is there any public comment?

[35:18] Any public comment?

[35:23] Okay, seeing no public comment, any further commission discussion?

[35:29] Okay, seeing none, I'll entertain a motion.

[35:33] Merdeen?

[35:33] Yes, Commissioner Rigby.

[35:34] I move to approve a resolution specifying the creation of a government large tax payer reserve

[35:41] Fund 2, 3, 8, 8, 4, fiscal year 2027.

[35:50] So second.

[35:51] It's been moved and seconded.

[35:54] Seeing no additional discussion, Madam Quirk,

[35:56] would you please call the roll.

[35:57] Commissioner Reed.

[35:59] Commissioner Rigby.

[36:00] Hi.

[36:01] Commissioner Gustafson.

[36:02] Hi.

[36:02] Commissioner Logan.

[36:03] Hi.

[36:03] Mayor Dean.

[36:05] The motion carries five to zero.

[36:07] OK, item C, consider a resolution

[36:09] providing for the annual tax levian mills

[36:11] for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026

[36:14] and ending June 30th, 2027, Ms. McLean.

[36:18] Thank you, Mayor commissioners.

[36:20] This resolution is just just set the mills for the tax year, 2026.

[36:26] The proposed mills are all listed there as we discussed last time.

[36:31] They are calculated based on the requirements of the Department of Administration.

[36:37] If you have any questions, I will take those now.

[36:40] Okay, questions for Ms. McLean.

[36:46] All right, seeing no questions or comments,

[36:49] is there any public comment on this item?

[36:52] Any public comment?

[36:58] Okay, seeing no public comment,

[37:00] I will entertain a motion.

[37:02] Where do you?

[37:03] Yes, Commissioner Logan.

[37:04] I'd move to approve a resolution

[37:05] providing for the annual tax levian mills

[37:08] for the fiscal year, beginning July 12, 26,

[37:12] and ending June 30, 20, 27.

[37:16] Second, it's been moved and seconded.

[37:18] Seeing no additional discussion, Madam Clerk,

[37:21] Err, yeah, Madam Clerk, please call the roll.

[37:23] Commissioner Reed.

[37:24] Bye.

[37:25] Commissioner Reed, be.

[37:26] Aye.

[37:26] Commissioner Gustafson.

[37:28] Aye.

[37:28] Commissioner Logan.

[37:29] Aye.

[37:30] Mayor Dean, aye, motion carries 5 to 0. All right. And for the most exciting item of the night, we will item

[37:38] deconsider resolution adopting final budgets, budget authorities, and appropriations for fiscal year,

[37:44] beginning July 1226, and ending June 30, 2027, and setting the salary for the municipal court judge.

[37:54] Ms. McLean is going to present and then when she is done presenting before we go to questions or comments,

[38:00] I'm going to look to city attorney doctor to talk about what the process is if there are any amendments on this item.

[38:10] So with that, Ms. McLean, please go ahead.

[38:13] Thank you, Mayor commissioners.

[38:15] So as you know, as we've been talking about all along, there have been some budget challenges this year

[38:20] And while certified values came in slightly above where we expected as you can see in the packet,

[38:25] we only anticipate about $10,000 more than we had initially budgeted for that in the preliminary budget.

[38:33] And as you notice here, there are some expense increases.

[38:37] Some are like the transfer out to the taxpayer reserve fund that will come out of our

[38:42] assessed values. So that's not a huge increase, but then there are also just some

[38:48] projects that we didn't anticipate or that we're missed in the carryover projects.

[38:53] So this is re-budgeting some of those values, and so there are quite a few increases.

[38:59] So the total increase is approximately $1.3 million, and then a small revenue increase if there are any questions.

[39:12] I will take those now.

[39:13] Okay, we will first go to City Dr. and then we'll come to the commission.

[39:21] Mayor commissioners, thank you.

[39:24] I'd just like to go through a budget amendment procedures.

[39:27] There are a couple of you that are new and of course this hasn't happened for a year.

[39:32] So it's always good to have updates on how this happens.

[39:36] I'm just going to go through at a very high level overview of how the budget amendment procedures

[39:43] go for motions and amendments to that motion. You would just starting with the basic first motion

[39:52] would be moved to approve the resolution adopting the final budgets. You'll need a second for

[39:59] that and then discussion before you vote on that if there are desired amendments any one of you

[40:07] then would have to move to amend the budget at that point. There is a document in front of you

[40:12] And I'm mostly going through this, but maybe adding a few comments also.

[40:20] So if you desire to amend that original motion before the vote is taken on that motion,

[40:27] you would present your emotion at your motion.

[40:31] And as you can see there, you would move to amend fiscal year 27 budget to reflect a change

[40:36] to reduce a certain fund by a dollar amount and increase another fund by the same amount.

[40:43] So you're moving money from one place to another.

[40:46] Obviously, you have to know where you're taking it from and to where you're putting it.

[40:50] So that should go in the motion.

[40:52] That needs a second and a discussion on it.

[40:55] If you look, then there is an optional friendly amendment.

[40:58] If there's an intention to amend that motion, you would have to offer an amended motion,

[41:06] or offer a motion to amend that motion and that would also need to be seconded.

[41:13] So let's just for an example, someone moves to move $20,000 from streets fund,

[41:21] which you shouldn't do, because you can't take money from that.

[41:25] So, and put it somewhere else, and you desire to do it over my objection.

[41:31] here you would have to get a second to that and then you might discuss it. If someone wants

[41:38] to move to a friendly amendment to that and say I'd like to take instead of from streets

[41:45] because you can't do that from streets and move it to somewhere else there has to be a second

[41:50] on that. Each time we deal with an amendment it'll be the the most recent one first and then we'll

[41:57] backward to deal with those amendments. So every amendment proposed thereafter until they're all done,

[42:05] we'll have to be dealt in that way. So I'm giving you a limit as to how many amendments.

[42:12] I'm just kidding, that's not my authority. I wish it were, but you do have to go through all of your

[42:17] amendments first and then at the end you'll vote on the resolution adopting the final budget as amended

[42:25] if there are any of the motions to amend that are that carry, if all of them fail,

[42:34] you can go back to the original motion and pass it as presented by the department,

[42:39] but if there are any motions to amend that are carried, those then would have to,

[42:44] the budget overall would have to be adopted as amended. So that's really, that's a really broad

[42:52] overview and the devils and the details obviously, but I'll be here to answer any questions

[42:57] as we go along and I'll try to keep track along with City Clerk on where we are.

[43:04] And if you're just going to pass the budget as presented, then we'll be able to go home

[43:09] earlier.

[43:10] There we go.

[43:12] That's all I have.

[43:13] Great.

[43:13] Thank you, City Attorney Doctor.

[43:15] So we will go to questions and comments from the commission.

[43:19] Our dean.

[43:20] Yes, Christian Logan.

[43:21] So, hypothetically, if this is amended and then a, and seconded, there's discussion, and there's a friendly amendment, and it's seconded, we vote on that friendly amendment, do we need to go back to the original amendment, or is that kind of gone by the wayside?

[43:43] Mayor Commissioner Logan in your hypothetical if you pass the amendment, you'd have to go back to the original motion to adopt the final budget as amended.

[43:57] Did I miss something?

[43:59] Yeah, I didn't ask the question well.

[44:00] So do we have to go back to the original amendment or do we carry on with them with the friendly amendment and go from there?

[44:11] Mayor Commissioner Logan, it depends if the friendly amendment

[44:16] swallows up the original amendment, then yes, then no you wouldn't have to, but if it

[44:22] doesn't, yes, you'd have to deal with every amendment as they go along.

[44:27] Thank you. All right. Yes, Christian rugby.

[44:32] Head to questions on the expense increase for the 53,000 on credit card fees and the 125,000 for

[44:43] Contractet services

[44:47] Sure mayor commissioners, so the $53,000 in credit card fees is because one of our vendors didn't bill us for a part of fiscal year 26

[44:55] And so it caused an unexpected expense in fiscal year 27

[45:00] So, that's just a pay for that. And then the accounting contract of services, as we are without a director, we have hired a consultant to help us with our year end reporting requirements.

[45:12] Great. Thank you. So, the, I guess the 53 wasn't budgeted in the prior budget, or we're going to carry it over or?

[45:22] So it was budgeted in fiscal year 26, but typically we don't carry over operating expenses, and so it wasn't involved in the carryover process, and so we just re-budget it that amount.

[45:33] Gotcha.

[45:33] Thank you.

[45:34] So when you're saying re-budgeted, it's read carryover since it wasn't actually in our carryover process earlier.

[45:44] Bear Commissioners, technically yes, really it's just coming out of cash.

[45:49] Okay.

[45:49] Thank you.

[45:52] Mr. Gussison.

[45:53] Thank you, Mayor Dean.

[45:55] This is probably a dumb question.

[45:57] So when we look at these changes from the preliminary budget,

[46:00] and we have the increase of 1.3 million dollars in expenses,

[46:07] and then only the $10,000 increase in certified values,

[46:12] Can you, and I know some of these have different plate, you know, like the fire station is going from one to the other, or what was just brought up is essentially cash as being used, but where are all the other differences being made in these, where's the cash coming from for these expense increases?

[46:29] Sure, Mayor Christmas, it's just coming out of our cash balances, so our cash reserves.

[46:33] Okay, and if it wasn't used for these expenses, sorry, if all of a family, then it would go into our reserve fund or contingency fund.

[46:42] That's correct.

[46:43] So then, do you know, and it's probably in the packet, but I was struggling to find it, the...

[46:50] Those final numbers on the reserve fund and the contingency fund, because those are two funds, right?

[46:59] Where would I find those?

[47:01] Or when do we know those final numbers?

[47:03] Thank you, Mayor Krisher.

[47:04] So though the contingency fund, what was adopted in my understanding is that it happens after

[47:10] our audited financials are done, and so that's an ongoing process right now.

[47:14] So, probably December or time frame.

[47:18] Other questions or comments from the commission?

[47:27] Any additional discussion from the commission?

[47:32] Krisher.

[47:50] Do not have a finance director.

[47:54] Sure.

[47:54] Thank you, Mayor Krisher.

[47:55] So it will probably we will have some vacancy savings from the vacancy, but we did have to pay out the prior

[48:03] Prime Minister actor there, Crolls, which was quite expensive, and so we'll come out quite to a net zero impact.

[48:09] So we're just planning ahead in case it ends up costing more.

[48:14] Thank you.

[48:16] Right.

[48:16] Any other discussion?

[48:21] Before we move on, I just want to take a moment to thank our staff, particularly Ms. McLean,

[48:28] because I know that you have taken on a great load in the last month, and you've stepped up just really an incredible way.

[48:37] So we're very grateful to you, and to the rest of our department staff.

[48:42] This is a very long process.

[48:44] This was one of the most challenging budgets in a very long time.

[48:51] A few months ago, I was in the office and former Mayor Jim Smith was in there and I was talking to him about the challenges that this budget has presented and he said,

[49:04] And I haven't heard of it being that rough since the late 80s.

[49:08] And so that gives you, it's anecdotal,

[49:10] but it gives you an idea that why we have had to approach

[49:14] this budget this year, with such a sober lens,

[49:23] and be really, really thoughtful about how we would move forward,

[49:28] change the legislation, and have precipitated a lot of other challenges,

[49:32] every community in the state is going through this.

[49:37] I just read an article the other week about how the city of Dylan

[49:41] did not have enough cash on hand to pay their general fund

[49:46] funded employees.

[49:49] So this is a very challenging time for municipalities in Montana

[49:52] and I am very grateful that we have this staff that we do.

[49:57] They come at things from such a creative mindset

[50:01] and really try to find ways to continue to align to our strategic plan and move the ball forward

[50:09] while also grappling with the realities of what municipal budgets in Montana currently are.

[50:16] I think if you read through this budget, you'll see a lot of continued investments in infrastructure

[50:23] and the basics, so you'll see a lot of water, wastewater, streets, ADA, ramp improvements,

[50:33] really trying to do the nuts and bolts well right now.

[50:37] It doesn't mean that we do not want to continue to pursue and will continue to pursue

[50:43] other creative and innovative funding mechanisms,

[50:48] But all the more reason why we have been so bullish over the years in acquiring grants that, you know, are not guaranteed.

[50:57] But it's critically important if we want to get some of this big stuff done, because the way the law works right now, there is barely room to keep up with wage inflation, much less.

[51:10] really the needs that our community currently has so very grateful to our staff, very grateful

[51:18] to the community.

[51:19] This is, you know, we're more or less like a four to six-month process and here we are.

[51:27] And I'm looking forward to getting this fiscal year off to a good start and getting

[51:34] someone's on the board with the resources that we have.

[51:41] So with that, is there any public comment on this item?

[51:47] Any public comment?

[51:53] Any public comment?

[51:56] Okay, saying no public comment, any additional discussion from the commission?

[52:04] Okay.

[52:04] I will entertain a motion.

[52:09] Mayor Dean?

[52:10] Yes.

[52:10] Commissioner Logan.

[52:14] Excuse me.

[52:15] I think I'm on the wrong page.

[52:16] So hang on just one.

[52:18] I don't, I can do it, me or D. Go for it.

[52:22] I moved to approve a resolution adopting the final budgets, budget authorities and appropriations for fiscal year beginning.

[52:30] July 1st, 2026, and ending June 30th, 2027, and setting the salary for the municipal court judge.

[52:37] Second.

[52:39] It's been moved and seconded, additional discussion.

[52:43] Mayor Dean, Commissioner Readin.

[52:45] I moved to amend FY27 budget to reflect the following changes.

[52:50] I don't think I'm reducing anything.

[52:53] I moved to provide $10,000 to the how-and-a-simfinity, $1,000 to the how-and-a-simfinity.

[53:01] on run and $750 to the state capital, banned from cash reserves also in the general fund, based

[53:09] on the request that we heard about in May for a total of $11,750 and briefly, you know,

[53:18] we just heard about the $10,000 increase in revenue and I understand we have other expenses

[53:24] that have come in and I've heard a lot of conversation about the process or lack thereof.

[53:28] It's my opinion that whether or not we'd like the process, it's been the way we've done it for quite some time

[53:35] Specifically in the case of the sunrun this would be the 12th year in a row since they began and if we're going to change the process

[53:41] Then I think we should do that consciously and clearly from now and I would like to look at how we can be a good partner

[53:49] to some of these events that are so impactful to our community

[53:53] Whether it's by department or as a city and

[53:57] specific example that might be looking into city wide event insurance.

[54:01] I've heard that but silver boat does this, and it makes events much less expensive.

[54:07] So I think we have options moving forward if we would like to support some of these events

[54:11] in our community, and not have to do appropriations out of our budget each year.

[54:15] I'm very comfortable with looking at different ways to do it, but for now, I would like to

[54:19] to amend the F.I. 27 budget to award $11,750,000 from cash reserves to the Helen of

[54:29] Symphony of Sunrun and State Capital Plant.

[54:34] The comments from the commission.

[54:40] I might just have a point of discussion. So I don't know if

[54:47] this is well known, but under May I don't think there was a second yet on that.

[54:53] There wasn't, but I was just going to have a couple of comments and, well, folks are

[54:58] mulling over seconding.

[55:00] I, that under our current bylaws, the mayor cannot make motions or second, whether you

[55:07] want to or not.

[55:09] A couple of comments on Commissioner Reeds amendments.

[55:17] I'm supportive of the allocation to the symphony.

[55:22] The last time this came up, I feel more comfortable with $5,000 of appropriation.

[55:29] We've done $10,000 one year before, and that was last year towards the end of our general fund savings.

[55:37] And so I would just ask Commissioner Reed if she would consider the $5,000.

[55:43] I am supportive of the $1,000 for the Sunrun.

[55:48] In terms of the state capital band, I believe that we actually through, well, maybe I'll look to the city manager, because I know they're participation in our, in the 250th anniversary of the Constitution prison and opportunity for us to be supportive.

[56:10] Yes, thank you, Mayor Gain and Commission, we do have that line item now in the parks budget for events.

[56:17] Okay.

[56:21] Merdy.

[56:22] Yes.

[56:22] I could make comment.

[56:24] Go ahead.

[56:25] I will not support the amendment.

[56:30] I understand, you know, that's the way things have always been on a few of these.

[56:34] I volunteer at the Symphony.

[56:36] I run the Sun Run.

[56:37] But sometimes it's a, sometimes it'd be a detrimental thing, you know, that's just the way we've always done it, but sometimes it doesn't mean it's always been done the right way.

[56:49] So I would really like to see a process in that, you know, we can make it fair for everybody across the board to have an equal opportunity to, you know, try to get some of these event funds to have more events in our community and see where we can build some more events in the community.

[57:06] So, thank you.

[57:10] Mayor Dean, could I amend my amendment or withdraw my amendment and restate it?

[57:16] I'm going to look to the city attorney.

[57:18] Mayor, Commissioner Reed, you can amend your own amendment.

[57:24] So, yes, there's no second.

[57:26] Since there's not even a second.

[57:28] Okay, I'm going to put her back out there for a second.

[57:30] Mayor Dean, I move to amend the FY27 budget to reflect the following changes.

[57:40] $5,000 from cash reserves to the Helena Symphony and $1,000 to the Helena Sunrun.

[57:56] Is there a second?

[57:58] Okay, sing no second. The motion to amend fails. Is there additional discussion?

[58:10] I would just add, or echo, Commissioner Rigby's comments, I think when this, the ask

[58:17] came up for 10,000, a few meetings back, I think there was some reservation, or at least

[58:25] three of us about lack of process and not anyone else getting a shot at this and I'm kind

[58:38] uncomfortable from that angle and and we've been the commission over the past five

[58:48] six years has been very supportive of the non-profit community to the tune of

[58:54] millions when you think back to CARES and ARPA funding and we we've made

[59:01] allocations to the symphony.

[59:04] Oh, I think it was an April of $25,

[59:09] a $35,000 award for a feasibility study

[59:15] on the property on Jackson Street.

[59:18] And so I think we've been pretty generous.

[59:23] And I guess I'm looking forward to,

[59:28] You know, if an organization has an ask, has an ask that other organizations should be able to have that similar ask as well.

[59:41] So, thank you.

[59:45] And maybe this is a question for the City Manager, Ms. McLean, correct me.

[59:53] That $20,000 for a Hellenari community foundation is still available here.

[59:57] Mayor Dana Commission, yes.

[59:59] Okay, correct.

[1:00:00] In which it's a city grant program where any non-profit could apply.

[1:00:06] Mayor Dean and Commission Yes, that is correct.

[1:00:11] Okay. Any additional comments or questions?

[1:00:17] Mayor Dean? Yes, Commissioner Guestison.

[1:00:19] Thank you.

[1:00:21] I do not have an amendment, so I'll just put that out there right now.

[1:00:25] Comments, I was gone. I was out of town for when we adopted the preliminary budget.

[1:00:29] And so I was debating about if I wanted to say anything about this budget.

[1:00:33] know that I'm here for adopting the final budget and I think a lot has been said so I'll echo

[1:00:38] the thanks and the hard work that staff did putting this budget together. I know it is a long process

[1:00:43] and was just talking to some of my fellow commissioners that we're about to start all over again.

[1:00:48] So that's in some ways we learn and then we can keep doing, I'll make a poor analogy but often

[1:00:56] at the end of the growing season I'm always sad to put my garden away but then I remember it's just

[1:01:01] months before I can start all over again. So these things are a process. I do want to call

[1:01:07] out in this budget and the cover pieces were just so well written, but overall revenue is

[1:01:14] being down 10% and that the general fund really only has a 1% increase and so how staff manages

[1:01:21] that in the priorities for this year and I want to acknowledge that one of the priorities was to

[1:01:26] the employer of choice and I think that is a big deal to do a cola and to change the

[1:01:31] step program and so I think that's investing in the people that serve the city so that

[1:01:37] they can serve the residents and so I hope those changes will help with of course retention

[1:01:42] and recruitment and morale at the city so they can continue the great team can continue

[1:01:47] to provide great service and so I think that's worth acknowledging that that's where we

[1:01:50] put and I've been thinking about what I have changed but I do want to acknowledge that

[1:01:56] There's no real discretionary spending this year, and so I think the team again, as we have

[1:02:00] these conversations, some of these dollars are really small amounts that seem like they'd

[1:02:04] be easy to do, but I think it's worth acknowledging that there's not a lot of extra.

[1:02:11] And I think I'll end there, because I think everyone else has said it.

[1:02:16] So thank you.

[1:02:18] Thank you.

[1:02:18] Mayor Dean.

[1:02:19] Yes, Commissioner Logan.

[1:02:20] Thank you.

[1:02:20] I'd like to echo your comments as well as Commissioner Gustafson's in thanks for

[1:02:27] Ms. McLean, thank you for stepping in to a role they may not have anticipated and doing

[1:02:34] a really good job of it and to all of our directors for their work and the city manager don't

[1:02:43] let me forget that for all their work beginning quite some time ago and carrying us through

[1:02:51] the spring and to this point it's probably our most well it's it is our most important job

[1:02:57] job as members of the commission and staff, and so thank you all very much.

[1:03:07] Yes, Commissioner McKee.

[1:03:08] Now to say thank you, everybody, too.

[1:03:10] Obviously, I was there with you guys, so I don't know what goes into it.

[1:03:13] I do it with my day job now, too, across the state, and everybody's going to celebrate

[1:03:18] here in a few hours, because their budgets will be done.

[1:03:21] And we can all be happy and move on and have operations.

[1:03:25] I think you have to have it turned in in six months, so we'll see in six months to start talking about it again.

[1:03:33] But I guess also I want to touch on, you know, this list of changes, even as we go through the budget and we try to be perfect.

[1:03:41] And everything we do, the staff's always has to adapt.

[1:03:45] We're running a 365, 24, 7 operation, things change.

[1:03:49] I mean, I, you know, a $53,000 miss on a credit card fee that we weren't charged, there's nobody's fault, but that's a, that's a, that's a big number.

[1:04:00] Staff retirees, we have to make up for those costs, and having extra increased revenue is great, but I think that doesn't mean that we should not pay attention to increased costs across the board.

[1:04:16] I look at gas prices, that trickles it into everything, so just being cognizant of the budget

[1:04:23] and what it goes into to adapt on the fly, it takes a lot from everybody, so thank you.

[1:04:30] Commissioner Reed.

[1:04:31] Thank you, Mayor Dean, just briefly echoing the thanks to everybody for putting this together

[1:04:36] to Ms. McLean for stepping in.

[1:04:38] I do look forward to beginning discussions again, and as I say every year, like a broken record,

[1:04:43] I very much believe in a budget that reflects our priorities and our values and I hope we can have some good conversations in the upcoming year about what that looks like. Thank you

[1:04:54] All right, so with that we have a motion and it has been seconded

[1:05:01] And there is no further discussion, so Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll?

[1:05:07] I

[1:05:08] I

[1:05:09] Commissioner Rigby

[1:05:11] Sorry, I didn't get a chance to ask this is for just the

[1:05:15] This is just the budget with the second.

[1:05:18] Okay.

[1:05:19] No amendments.

[1:05:20] No amendments.

[1:05:22] Commissioner Gustafson.

[1:05:23] Aye.

[1:05:24] Commissioner Logan.

[1:05:25] Mayor Dean.

[1:05:26] Aye.

[1:05:27] The motion carries five to zero.

[1:05:29] All right.

[1:05:32] That brings us to the end of our agenda.

[1:05:39] So with that, is there any general public comment on any item not discussed in it?

[1:05:44] tonight's agenda. Any general public comment?

[1:05:51] Okay, seeing no additional public comment. Any

[1:05:55] final thoughts from the commission?

[1:06:00] Thank you. I, as now that we're done with this budget,

[1:06:04] we're moving on to the next. I would love to have a session. This is for the city manager to

[1:06:08] do, to talk about transit. I know that was an area when we were putting together the budget,

[1:06:14] then need some hard decision making for the next year. So, we'd love to see that on a future

[1:06:19] agenda of possible. Thank you, Mayor Dianne Commission. Does anyone disagree with that?

[1:06:23] I'm like a mission. No, I think one comment I might just add. So I know the I think hopefully

[1:06:31] lots of folks in the community are paying attention to the information the city and the MPO,

[1:06:37] Metropolitan Planning Organization have been putting out. The LRTP draft will be out this, I think like

[1:06:44] month. I'm trying to look around. Okay, he must be in his office, but I think within that there

[1:06:54] is an entire section and consideration about transit and potential funding options, including

[1:07:07] districts and otherwise. So I think that my only feedback would be, I hope that we can time

[1:07:13] it with some of that information because there's so much that has gone into that long-range

[1:07:18] transportation plan so far and a lot of analysis and so I think if we compare that with

[1:07:23] this conversation, I think that would be great.

[1:07:29] Okay.

[1:07:30] Awesome. So, with that, this meeting is adjourned.

Helena City Commission Meeting August 31, 2026

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