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Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

At a glance

  • What: Final adoption of the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, the annual mill levy resolution, and the Municipal Court judge's salary, plus related items at the August 31, 2026 special meeting.
  • Outcome: Final budget adopted 5-0, mill levy resolution 5-0. A proposal to fund community groups from reserves failed for lack of a second.
  • Budget picture: Interim Finance Director McClain said the City faced budget challenges; certified values came in slightly above projection but revenue rises only about $10,000 over the preliminary budget. Amendments add roughly $1.3 million in expenditures, mainly the transfer to the new Large Taxpayer Reserve Fund and carryover projects omitted earlier, funded from cash reserves. Final contingency balances come after the annual audit. Payout of accrued leave to the former Finance Director added costs beyond vacancy savings.

Detail (August 31, 2026)

  • Mill levy: Logan moved, Rigby seconded; 5-0.
  • Urban forest: The assessment option for the Special Urban Forest Management District for FY 2027 ($556,650 per the resolution) passed 5-0 on a motion by Reed, seconded by Rigby. Rigby had asked about a mismatch between memo and resolution; the amount was confirmed correct and the increase limited by the district's founding terms.
  • Final budget: Gustafson moved, Logan seconded. Reed proposed an amendment to give $10,000 to the Helena Symphony, $1,000 to the Helena Sun Run and $750 to the State Capitol Band from cash reserves, revised to $5,000 and $1,000; it received no second and failed, with commissioners differing and noting a need for a formal community funding process. The main motion passed 5-0.
  • Later: On October 5, Reed and Gustafson raised bringing community event sponsorship into department budgets.

Sources

Log

2026-10-05 - City Commission

Reed and Gustafson expressed interest in including community event sponsorships in department budgets after the Sun Run raised about $15,000 for school solar panels.

2026-08-31 - City Commission Special Meeting

Budget, levy and urban forest assessment all adopted 5-0; the community funding amendment failed without a second.