[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6587674,"mediaKeyId","5561568-64cc0340b41a0710f589d2ee4393b3f5","parentId",5561568,"title","Council deadlocks on rule change after heated debate over \"urgent\" business and process","audioSeconds",3283,"startMs",2609000,"endMs",5892000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5561568-64cc0340b41a0710f589d2ee4393b3f5&start=2609&end=5892","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5561568-64cc0340b41a0710f589d2ee4393b3f5/thumbnail_2609000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6587674/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Council-deadlocks-on-rule-change-after-heated-debate-over-urgent-business-and-process","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587674-aad3a3a6b3e701d6131b16d3df690b78/orig.mp4?Expires=1773570160&Signature=k5p50bTN9C7G2xqh9-LtVH1BrtKA9ILTj~waW~woHWXEGUMaw~X7eAkCe02NrvM2~b4pJOAcIE~IldnU2-DcUJLDkw0j~TwrvP7xC0UxLdF-17MarSVf9zC7McrDcynlVhHx6M7UmTJltPYxclEkvyWkb5DduZyDC-Z7fFSvayeT4x4RaQTl6IM0LydXnqQ6Jq5VCyCaBQHgJ3119lrKtORZZ-DpIbVz-zFg0zWT8hckgLR1qpRoLsdHuq1jlU-ZYM~fo41HigX8tukVtbzU~J1rf3scfOtcGjVNRZR9q7fyuqkalP2e54COGE0CoKe403CED48Ki2LddhaLi7t9hA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Missoula, NY","date","2025-08-12T03:38:53Z","article","Missoula City Council debated and voted on proposed changes to council rule 21(c) at the Aug. 11 meeting. The proposed change would have replaced the existing “urgent items” language with language authorizing only “emergency” actions under Rule 27 or unforeseen fiscal/contracting matters to be added to the City Council agenda for new business without prior committee consideration.

An amendment by Councilor Daniel Carlino to revert the item back to the original version brought forward at the committee meeting passed on a roll-call vote, 8–4. The committee’s original proposal — which Councilor Bob Campbell and Councilor Vaseca (name in transcript) had sponsored — would have retained a broader “urgent items” standard only after specific limiting language was applied. After the Carlino amendment passed, the council then voted on the original proposed rule change; that motion failed on a second roll-call vote, 4–8.

Councilors’ remarks at the meeting summarized opposing perspectives. Councilor Bob Campbell said the proposed change was aimed at increasing transparency by narrowing the circumstances under which items could bypass committee deliberation. “We should do better. Let’s do better on behalf of our constituents … give folks the opportunity to examine what it is we bring before this body,” Campbell said. He argued that the current “urgent” standard allowed politically timed matters to appear on a Monday council agenda with limited public notice.

Opponents, including Councilor Mike Nugent, said the council already follows legal requirements and that narrowing the rule could reduce the council’s ability to respond quickly when circumstances require it. Nugent said the council should not “change our rules when things don't go our way” and argued the process used in committee complied with state law.

Other councilors framed the debate around a recent example: Councilor Jennifer Savage explained she had brought a pride-flag resolution to the floor quickly because a school superintendent had directed teachers to remove classroom flags, which she said created an urgent need for the council to respond before school ended. Savage said the timing was the reason she used new business rather than committee. Councilor Krist(en?) Jordan and others described feeling excluded from the drafting and sponsorship process on that item and said the rule change could limit minority council members’ opportunities to respond to time-sensitive developments.

The formal roll-call votes were recorded in the meeting minutes. On the Carlino amendment (to revert to the committee’s original proposal), votes were: Yes — Meredith Becerra, Bob Campbell, Daniel Carlino, President Jordan, Nelson, Jennifer Savage, Council President Cheryl (listed as \"Cheryl\" in transcript) and Sandra Lucica; No — Stacy Anderson, Sierra Farmer, Gwen Jones and Mike Nugent. The Carlino amendment passed 8–4. On the final vote adopting the proposed rule change (the narrower emergency-language version), the motion failed 4–8 with yes votes cast by Campbell, Carlino, Jordan and Councilor Vaseca (as recorded in the transcript).

The council’s action leaves the existing rule in place. Several councilors said they will continue to work on technical cleanups to council rules and to propose clarifications in future rule packages. The debate highlighted tensions about process, transparency and how the council balances the ability to act quickly during time-sensitive events against providing broad public notice and committee vetting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Missoula City Council Meeting Aug 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After extended debate over council rule 21(c) concerning urgent/new business items, an amendment to restore the original language passed 8–4 but the primary rule change failed 4–8. Councilors debated transparency, minority participation and use of 'urgent' items, citing recent uses to introduce time-sensitive resolutions.","taxTitle","Missoula, Missoula County, Montana","taxId",4050,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587679,"City staff updates Missoula council on FY26 budget; public hearing continued to Aug. 18",890,967000,1857000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5561568-64cc0340b41a0710f589d2ee4393b3f5&start=967&end=1857","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5561568-64cc0340b41a0710f589d2ee4393b3f5/thumbnail_967000.jpg","/articles/6587679/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/City-staff-updates-Missoula-council-on-FY26-budget-public-hearing-continued-to-Aug-18","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587679-fb431d9632cdc63a760eec85e3452618/orig.mp4?Expires=1773570160&Signature=CBKfs6lwhTK05mfyPS65TLLY~6LYOeM~vx2jofaRC1kgYcawsPWMJ8zoSSTjZi~JFq~cmIsfCWJBkekwMrUBfT9YWYfSea0-D3J2b7uof9W77TddoVRxZOjfnZOsAHDUVR-tK8d3uFLOHCYQfzVWkPHCZD323B08OH4SejIKcT0kzGzbVnTeA8tHdriEI0kQ15AijQEInAPe7DhnDxeOG25jxdI1IrzzjLdMtGwoJzLodA8-uJXZe-ToGzenJKiEHzvCqcef5fd75pUpr8Gh9-RZcNTkI8aunF8pVlOhCbjDrLUTiQF0QwDIp8jnko~mAN4T~IECcrGV6AdzcIT-kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Missoula city staff presented updated information on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget at the Aug. 11 City Council meeting, and the council left the FY26 public hearing open for additional amendments and final action on Aug. 18.

Dale Bickel, the city’s chief administrative officer, summarized changes since the previous hearing Aug. 4 and highlighted new taxable-value information from the state. Bickel said the mayor’s proposed budget emphasizes financial stability, investments in housing-focused operations and core services, and a cost-of-living approach to compensation. “This mayor’s budget brings a commitment to financial stability, responsible investment, and responsive public service,” Bickel said.

Key figures Bickel presented included a proposed general fund expense budget of about $88.1 million, a total tax-supported budget of roughly $121 million, and an all-funds operating budget near $200 million. The city’s general-fund reserve target is 7% of ongoing revenues (about $5.1 million); Bickel said the FY26 ending balance is projected at about $3.2 million, an increase from FY25 but short of the policy target.

Bickel described changes to the city’s revenue estimates after state assessment notices. He said assessment results and legislative changes reduced median taxable values, producing an estimated 3.5% overall property-tax revenue increase across city taxing districts (exclusive of newly taxable property). On the median home example Bickel showed, market value rose from about $399,000 in 2024 to about $507,000 in the new cycle, but legislative changes and exemptions produced a roughly 21.7% drop in taxable value for the median home; under the FY26 mill rate the median homeowner would see an estimated 14% decrease in the city portion of their tax bill. Bickel stressed that the city’s calculation covers only the city portion of property tax and does not include county or school taxes.

Bickel said the city’s new property-tax revenue estimate tied to this budget is roughly $3.8 million (down from a prior internal estimate of approximately $4.4 million), and he explained steps used to hold the overall taxpayer impact to the 3.5% target, including fund-balance management. He outlined how the new tax revenue is allocated: roughly 79% to wage increases for existing staff, 14.8% to contractual increases (utilities, rent, software) and roughly 5% to new requests.

Bickel also described budget changes and additions since Aug. 4: a $6,800 one-time appropriation for a police digital-forensics tool, two new street-maintenance positions funded by gas-tax sources instead of district property tax, continued investments in capital projects including the Scott and Phillips roundabout and South Avenue Safe Streets for All federal project preparations, design work for a new fire station and continued work on the animal services facility expansion and composting facility ARPA grants.

Council members asked procedural and detail-oriented questions. Councilor Bob Campbell asked about the change between the earlier $4.4 million estimate and the $3.8 million figure; Bickel said taxable values were lower than anticipated and staff used fund-balance tools to preserve the targeted tax increase. Councilor Daniel Carlino asked when fee increases (parks and recreation, development review) would be posted; staff said the material was being prepared and would be available before further committee deliberations.

Public comment during the meeting on the budget items (agenda items 5.1–5.6) produced no speakers in the chamber and no online commenters; councilors noted the public hearing remains open through Aug. 18, with budget-committee deliberations scheduled in a morning session Aug. 13 and an afternoon placeholder session.

The council did not vote on budget adoption at the Aug. 11 meeting; staff and councilors signaled more amendment work in committee and a planned final vote on Aug. 18.","Chief administrative officer Dale Bickel presented updated FY26 budget details including taxable value impacts, revised revenue estimates, allocations for wages and public safety, and project highlights. The council kept the FY26 public hearing open for further amendments and scheduled final action for Aug. 18.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6587684,"Missoula City Council confirms six probationary firefighters",112,291000,403000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5561568-64cc0340b41a0710f589d2ee4393b3f5&start=291&end=403","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5561568-64cc0340b41a0710f589d2ee4393b3f5/thumbnail_291000.jpg","/articles/6587684/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Missoula-City-Council-confirms-six-probationary-firefighters","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6587684-3937d8d6d74b7505c89ea9f544982541/orig.mp4?Expires=1773570160&Signature=UWm9SrweSRpASVlmogLeYEutaf6jTdfpHplhU75vhbx~ncC3swCw3YwM1FUseT-laP4XTJ2pm~31~z8l2tP6zxnfcA5B5ZjzAivvIF3K3ia9lAt2x7ASWN9vgO-5N15m2c0K02yXHxFlEAiv1U-B~4XKf-9BOvgWR8HjW2abtYM2POnXiukpLipYRJd-rdQWpaBbyJKMb9FcU5RojWWZvFmUn8PhAuh4rTaI6N6Fym873vD3-BpXCR5fEoTbehjPjBkaOn5~eU2F79OJe8H1wmQcQixS76Te8BonZwjrNLCbBRq0fnA86zTZPyagoVxk31n4kRTvPJJySXWqrC-0Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Missoula City Council on Aug. 11 confirmed six probationary firefighters who completed their required training and one-year probationary period with the Missoula Fire Department.

Lonnie Rasch, fire chief for the Missoula Fire Department, recommended confirmation for the six firefighters and described the group as having completed recruit academy, testing and field training. “It is my pleasure to come before you tonight to recommend for confirmation six firefighters for the Missoula Fire Department who’ve completed their probationary year,” Rasch said.

Rasch told the council the group — informally called the “Thurlow 6” after their training officer — completed an accelerated driver-operator process because of operational staffing needs. He named the confirmed firefighters as John Deanna, Kristen Tabala, Denny Hoselton (not present), John Kaiser, John Mills and Chris Shetler and said he would provide brief bios to council.

The recommended motion to confirm the six firefighters was made by Councilor Stacy Anderson. The council approved the confirmations by voice vote; the committee previously approved the group unanimously. Following the vote, several council members welcomed the new firefighters and thanked them for choosing public service.

Councilor Mike Nugent said the council had “heard great things over the last year” and thanked the new hires for their service. Councilor Amber Sherrill, Councilor Bob Campbell and Councilor Gwen Jones each offered brief remarks welcoming them. President Jordan and other members also expressed appreciation.

The confirmations were conducted as a special presentation item rather than through the consent agenda. The council complimented department training staff and asked that the department submit the biographies Rasch referenced so members of the public and council could learn more about the new employees.

The confirmations conclude the probationary process documented by the department and place the six firefighters on the roster as full members of the Missoula Fire Department.","The council unanimously confirmed six Missoula Fire Department probationary firefighters — the \"Thurlow 6\" — following a recommendation from Fire Chief Lonnie Rasch. Council members praised the new hires and recognized the department's training and community engagement.","actionData","errors"]

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Council deadlocks on rule change after heated debate over "urgent" business and process

City staff updates Missoula council on FY26 budget; public hearing continued to Aug. 18

Missoula City Council confirms six probationary firefighters