Home builders told Yellowstone County commissioners on July 1 that a recent change in practice — delaying assignment of site addresses until late in construction — is holding up utilities and slowing work on new homes in and around Billings.

The matter drew a detailed public comment from builders and a response from county public works, which said staff could consider a bonding option to guarantee correct placement of driveway approaches and accept further talks with the Home Builders Association of Billings.

Builders said the county had previously assigned addresses after an approach permit inspection, which allowed contractors to request power, gas and other services earlier. "In the past ... once approved, then we were given the address," said Chad Wagonals, of CDW Construction and president of the Home Builders Association, describing the earlier practice. He told commissioners that utilities such as MDU and YVEC can issue services without an address but that the lack of a formal number has made service requests difficult and has delayed jobs.

Wagonals also warned of a public-safety consequence: "The fire department also uses that address even if it's preliminary to find us if there's a problem," he said.

Monica, the county's public works department head, said enforcement is the county's main leverage: without an address the county has limited tools to force correct placement of approaches. She said staff had floated the idea of requiring a bond to cover corrective work when approaches are installed improperly, and that the county had proposed a bond figure intended to be reasonable. "We would absolutely entertain a bond, within reason...the number that we settled on was $15,000," Monica told the commission.

Commissioners and builders discussed alternatives — stiffer fines, mandatory removal of incorrect approaches, or industry self-policing — but did not reach a final policy change. Commissioner (Chairman) said the commission would not take action that day: "We're not gonna take any action on this today because I think we were not to that point yet." Instead, commissioners directed staff to meet with the Home Builders Association to develop options the county could present for later discussion.

Votes at a glance: The meeting also included two routine motions. Commissioners approved claims 25-171, 25-172 and 26-001 by voice vote (motion moved and seconded; ayes recorded). The commission also approved the consent agenda and filed items by voice vote (motion moved and seconded; ayes recorded).

Why it matters: Builders say earlier address assignment affects the timing of utility hookups, inspections and occupancy and can impose time and cost burdens on contractors and homebuyers. The county's proposed bond is intended to give the county an enforcement mechanism when approaches are placed incorrectly, but builders said higher bonding costs could affect affordability.

What's next: Monica invited the Home Builders Association to meet with public works staff to develop a recommended approach, including possible bond amounts or alternate enforcement mechanisms. Commissioners did not adopt a policy at the July 1 meeting.