Road and Bridge budget warns of SRS shortfall; commissioners asked to consider PILT backfill and reduced capital risk

Flathead County staff presented the Road & Bridge budget to commissioners April 30, projecting $8.6 million in revenue for fiscal 2026 and warning that a loss of Secure Rural Schools (SRS) funding will reduce the department’s flexibility for large capital projects. Dave Prunty, presenting the department review, said the department is planning for a revenue decline from roughly $9 million last year to about $8.6 million and has submitted a sidebar request to commissioners to consider a PILT (payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑taxes) backfill.

Why it matters: the SRS shortfall could force the county to delay crushing and other capital work, reduce services, or use reserves; each option would affect road maintenance and winter response across the county.

Revenue and transfers: Prunty listed $5.353 million in property tax revenue, roughly $350,000 in SRS funding this year (the department received a partial payment), $495,000 in dust‑control assessment receipts, and existing transfers of $500,000 from PILT plus about $627,000 from the general fund. He told…