[{"_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",6482000,"mediaKeyId","5576868-049bbdb2fbaa9608bf2ebcdf054e233c","parentId",5576868,"title","City of Helena outlines roughly $38 million in fiscal carryovers, ERP progress and proposed water/sewer rate changes","audioSeconds",1838,"startMs",4628000,"endMs",6466000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576868-049bbdb2fbaa9608bf2ebcdf054e233c&start=4628&end=6466","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576868-049bbdb2fbaa9608bf2ebcdf054e233c/thumbnail_4628000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6482000/Helena-City/Lewis-and-Clark-County/Montana/City-of-Helena-outlines-roughly-38-million-in-fiscal-carryovers-ERP-progress-and-proposed-watersewer-rate-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482000-8e1c9cd1ff7fd2d15bbe599243390166/orig.mp4?Expires=1775512640&Signature=YYtMnAy8YEG5jNO2JTi4i0PpQ~yHRzPhlMlH1~kdct6Y2AHcd~2YTkBIlFUnc5C0-8WB7g0Csp32l2p3CxiApVkHwnSfsS2bEGb9xHuz2WxsOAu-2KIIIz1KZrMBPWM6leVcXc-4NXbeu9pjtG-iiOdfTAIepjW~B03X3ZVnmEPg53HEoReZpcZTNTmvm392oPkpnPdtcO4OluttnGn-ywDusw7PsfmRSRUHU9TLeyTjSxjRs7Jfw4LDdiPB-a0Usm306YSYTIQhCj9MjQ4Hp7CdL5ovW860tgBbOSkBN~Xw9rbPdVEe8cIqlBByCzz~AIeCUxlbGRuaqdbevhSLcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Helena, MT","date","2025-08-14T11:46:44Z","article","City of Helena department heads reported on Aug. 13 that roughly $38 million in capital and grant projects are being carried from fiscal 2025 into fiscal 2026, with major items spanning transportation, parks, facilities and utilities.

Director Danielson and department leads told the commission that the large total reflects multiyear capital projects rather than operating overspends. Key carryovers highlighted included an ERP (enterprise resource planning) software conversion (the commission previously allocated $2 million for the project; staff said about $230,000 will carry into fiscal 2026 and that the ERP implementation is roughly 85% complete), more than $1 million in street and traffic projects (including pedestrian and intersection work and pavement preservation), gas-tax-funded projects of about $2 million and parks and open-lands projects including fuel-reduction work on Mount Helena and Mount Ascension.

Facilities projects included a City-County Building north parking-lot ADA upgrade, HVAC and access-control work in older sections of city buildings, a civic-center barrel-roof replacement and replacement boilers at city buildings. The parks department listed a Centennial Trail segment, courts and field improvements among its carryovers.

Public-works and utilities: Public Works and utilities staff reported multiple ongoing construction contracts and procurement delays tied to contractor capacity and equipment lead times (staff cited a 27-week delay for a replacement transformer damaged in shipping). Wastewater projects highlighted included a scum-pit installation intended to reduce odors and a cured-in-place pipe contract out for bid.

Proposed utility rate adjustments: Utilities staff previewed a proposed rate increase tied to long-term capital needs and debt service. The presentation recommended a 3.5% increase in water rates and a 4% increase in sewer rates; staff said a formal resolution of intent to set rates will be scheduled for October to allow additional notice and to correct a formatting error in the earlier schedule. Commissioners asked clarifying questions; one commissioner noted the packet mistakenly listed a different percentage and staff said the record and forthcoming advertisement would use the corrected figures.

Why it matters: Many of the carryovers are grant-funded or tied to federal reimbursement schedules and multi-year capital work; staff said carrying budgets forward preserves authority to complete ongoing contracts and to submit reimbursement requests. Staff also warned that contractor and supply-chain delays are increasing project timelines and sometimes require carrying funds forward to the next fiscal year to pay late invoices.

Next steps: Commissioners were told the formal carryover ordinance will be placed on a consent agenda at a subsequent meeting, the rate-resolution advertisement will be corrected and reposted with an October hearing date, and departments will return with contract awards and project updates as procurement and construction progress.

Ending: City staff introduced a new budget analyst, Nicholas Coppock, and asked commissioners to expect several carryover items and rate-setting items to return for formal action in the weeks ahead.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Administrative Meeting - August 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff briefed the commission on multiyear capital carryovers across departments (transportation, parks, facilities, utilities), reported progress on an enterprise resource planning (ERP) project and previewed proposed utility rate increases (3.5% water, 4% sewer) to be considered in October.","taxTitle","Helena City, Lewis and Clark County, Montana","taxId",52732,"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},6482005,"Helena Area Community Foundation proposes nonprofit capacity program for $100,000 homeless-solutions allocation",408,1458000,1866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576868-049bbdb2fbaa9608bf2ebcdf054e233c&start=1458&end=1866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576868-049bbdb2fbaa9608bf2ebcdf054e233c/thumbnail_1458000.jpg","/articles/6482005/Helena-City/Lewis-and-Clark-County/Montana/Helena-Area-Community-Foundation-proposes-nonprofit-capacity-program-for-100000-homeless-solutions-allocation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482005-cd8b52ae3f5649af93be9abf4f2f9eba/orig.mp4?Expires=1775512640&Signature=Ig80ALxLfmYvR9sgxZtRAefOlNZQcV0FW~O~aIQahr9yexFFDSjmW5zMfGG5fngYWYP4MjRlUbH~ylYhsx1ZdBz2F4YSb4phPkhDcTX0C4-xiY4N4O70ubE4S4Q1DnTkuzgaAJPWuHJmdBLzC5xnqXwSRWXtj7VfQacOzh7m-deaQo9e2oE0EKp1cGIqD7qo21wC7DEFj2SPej7leXP9r3WIKonzsT-OJGqt4qrBSxcz4PiQB~ttENrKAl2eK3MPE8XcbuBez-YU60Meer6hPwgwnb7WW-rAaHaowuJ06QdZD3UbgmAfoa5bEcrPS~sfS7r8l-SiEjxR0yNpvUP1Qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Helena Area Community Foundation (HACF) presented to the Helena City Commission on Aug. 13 a proposal to use a previously allocated $100,000 contingency fund to strengthen local nonprofit capacity to address homelessness and emergency shelter needs.

HACF Executive Director Emily Fruser told commissioners the foundation's proposal differs from a single shelter project: HACF would begin with readiness and capacity assessments across a wider group of nonprofits, then convene a cohort of approximately five to eight organizations for intensive capacity building in areas such as fundraising, financial systems and grant readiness. The work would then move into a program-design phase with partners to develop implementable emergency-shelter options.

Fruser said the proposal preserves half of the commission's $100,000 allocation for direct project implementation and intends to pursue additional matching funds. \"We would start with assessments, and then we would like to convene a cohort of 5 to 8 nonprofits, probably 5, to do some intensive work\" to scale services, she said.

Why it matters: City staff and commissioners have said the community needs winter emergency shelter options while local providers report limited capacity. HACF told the commission it focuses on building long-term capacity among under-resourced organizations and reducing competitive silos that can hinder coordinated responses.

Commission questions and public comment: Commissioners asked whether public-health and county agencies would participate. Fruser said HACF intends to involve a broader set of partners in the design phase, including public-health and housing authority partners, even though the initial readiness work would focus on nonprofits. Public commenter Brian Copeland, who identified himself as a community resource specialist and advocate, offered to collaborate on ground-level coordination and asked for contact information to pursue joint work.

Funding and next steps: City staff confirmed the $100,000 remains in the city's budget carryovers for fiscal 2026 and that any allocation to HACF would require an agreement with benchmarks and reporting. HACF said it would include incentive payments for participating nonprofits to offset the costs of participation. Commissioners did not vote on the proposal at the meeting; staff said the funding was carried into next fiscal year for possible appropriation and would require an agreement before funds are released.

Ending: HACF requested time for follow-up questions and said it would help convene local partners to move from assessment to practical shelter options before winter months.","The Helena Area Community Foundation told commissioners it would use the City's $100,000 contingency allocation to assess and build nonprofit capacity, convene a cohort of service providers and preserve part of the funding for direct shelter work; commissioners and public commenters asked about partnerships and timeline.",{"_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},6482010,"Helena school leaders outline $147 million-plus bond to replace aging high schools and CTE facilities",2272,2299000,4571000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5576868-049bbdb2fbaa9608bf2ebcdf054e233c&start=2299&end=4571","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5576868-049bbdb2fbaa9608bf2ebcdf054e233c/thumbnail_2299000.jpg","/articles/6482010/Helena-City/Lewis-and-Clark-County/Montana/Helena-school-leaders-outline-147-million-plus-bond-to-replace-aging-high-schools-and-CTE-facilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482010-cc0b2bdd1c2efc2a3f5444be7aef4707/orig.mp4?Expires=1775512640&Signature=KDl5WuXDQOuyhnzFRsWxvl17VhckeBUyK~wPCgkYkwxLH4QWPsSGCnTdGjUYHoGij6T~A7fUQdVBXN7UDBHC3kPh0gCcL9RTGN5IEKYZ-iYwDv6MKjoQqe1DCB~UeS2-HH67M2KuR1F-VimNQK2HCRb8KigmB3UY3r2uZ15WJGNRxOV6gXHlsWzxDTj8SPWCr0qPvDSYBE2hfPtiTjcLCi6l8deJGwQ~crHh-GHGkjSJlYdmakgnDhZpEeqaa7nOUvutLSZDHg4CocaimrDlleU0E9zG6LMX97crSBes3nq8hwhIUzgNz6b71WoiHGZ2LxeSaG7KZSPEsrzwnH0ufQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Helena school district officials told the City of Helena commission on Aug. 13 that they plan to ask voters to approve a multimillion-dollar bond to rebuild Helena High, Kessler and Capitol High and upgrade career and technical education facilities.

The district presented facility assessments and a bond proposal that officials said would address what they described as a backlog of deferred maintenance and safety upgrades that exceed what routine budgets can cover. Todd Merrill, facilities director for the Helena School District, said the district's total deferred maintenance is about $100 million to $110 million; the three high-school projects alone represent roughly $53 million of that total, he said, with about $30 million at Helena High, $20 million at Capitol High and $3 million at Kessler.

Superintendent Josh McKay and other district leaders said rebuilding on existing campuses is the preferred approach so students can remain in school during phased construction. McKay said Helena High's steam boilers and underground terminal systems are nearing end of life and that piecemeal repairs would not resolve systemic problems: \"No matter what, we're walking into this...a split shift scenario is almost unavoidable\" if the district delays larger work, he said.

Why it matters: District leaders and business and civic partners told commissioners that failing to act would force difficult operating choices'including split school days that would disrupt students'schedules, after-school work and local employers who hire teens. Callie Asham, president and CEO of the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce, said local employers told the chamber that school facilities influence recruiting decisions for professionals and families.

The bond ask and scope: Presenters described an on-site rebuild of Helena High that would also consolidate Powell High facilities on the Helena High campus, an on-site rebuild of Kessler and major upgrades at Capitol High. The presentation listed needs including larger kitchens (the district currently prepares meals at a single undersized district kitchen), improved safety/security to connect scattered CTE buildings to main campuses, updated athletics and additional gym space and modernized CTE lab space for programs such as CNC, welding and health-care training. The district said current construction-cost estimates per square foot are high across the region and that delaying construction will increase future costs.

Financial context and timing: The district provided multiple figures during the presentation: Merrill said the district's deferred maintenance bill is roughly $100 million to $110 million; later in the presentation the administration referred to a corrected districtwide deferred maintenance number of $147,100,000. District staff said they currently have roughly $4.5 million annually to address maintenance needs and that bonds are the primary mechanism to tackle large-scale capital and deferred-maintenance projects.

Community reaction and endorsements: Trustees, business groups and civic organizations participating in the meeting emphasized urgency. Janet Armstrong, a member of the district board of trustees, described classrooms with water damage, infestations and inadequate heating and ventilation as part of the case for replacement. The Helena Area Chamber and the local League of Women Voters reported outreach efforts and public support; the League's local observer told commissioners the organization \"strongly supports the bond issue.\" Public commenters and business leaders said modern school facilities support workforce recruitment and retention.

Next steps: District staff said the presentation to the city was informational only and that trustees will decide whether and when to place a bond measure before voters. No formal vote or bond authorization occurred during the Aug. 13 administrative meeting. District officials offered to return to the commission to answer additional questions and noted tour opportunities for commissioners and the public.

Ending: District officials and community partners urged commissioners to consider the long-term effects of deferred maintenance on student safety, instructional programs and the local economy and encouraged voters to review the district's fact sheet and planned building tours before the trustees finalize any ballot measure.","Helena School District officials presented a plan to the City Commission seeking community support for a bond to rebuild Helena High, Kessler and Capitol High and address the district's extensive deferred maintenance. District leaders warned of split-shift schedules and safety issues if work is deferred.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City of Helena outlines roughly $38 million in fiscal carryovers, ERP progress and proposed water/sewer rate changes

Helena Area Community Foundation proposes nonprofit capacity program for $100,000 homeless-solutions allocation

Helena school leaders outline $147 million-plus bond to replace aging high schools and CTE facilities