2026-08-31 - City Commission Special Meeting

Summary

Built from the official minutes (approved September 28). No video is posted. Meeting ran 6:00 to 7:08 PM; all members present. The minutes note a temporary audio interruption during the budget discussion.

• Citizen board appointments approved 5-0 (Rigby moved, Gustafson seconded).
• Urban forest assessment for FY 2027 passed 5-0.
• Large Taxpayer Reserve Fund created, 5-0.
• Annual mill levy resolution passed 5-0.
• Final FY 2027 budget and Municipal Court judge salary passed 5-0; Reed's amendment for community groups failed for lack of a second.
• September 8 proclaimed 988 Day; the Spirit of Helena Award went to John Murdy; the Business Improvement District reported declining spray-paint graffiti since 2024.

Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

• Budget, mill levy and urban forest district assessment ($556,650).

Large Taxpayer Reserve Fund

• Fund 2388 under Senate Bill 117.

Long Range Transportation Plan

• Ben Kuiper reported HCC approval; Gustafson asked for a future transit funding item.

Sources

• Minutes (in the September 28 agenda packet): https://helenamt.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=639&compileOutputType=1