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Emergency Management planner outlines OES FY26 budget cuts and software, radio and contractor costs
Summary
Emergency management planner Juanita Nelson presented a FY26 OES budget that trims non‑employee training and seeks state support for instructor costs, flags uncertain state grant revenue and requests funding for emergency notification software, radio repairs and radio reprogramming.
Juanita Nelson, emergency management planner, presented the Office of Emergency Services (OES) proposed fiscal 2026 budget to Flathead County commissioners and warned that potential state grant reductions could lower the department’s revenues.
Nelson said she tightened the operating budget where possible and removed non‑employee travel for ICS instructor training, saying the office will “lean very, very hard on my state partners, DNRC and DES, to try to get me those instructors.” She described three main cost areas: emergency notification software, radio repairs and contracted services to reprogram radios.
Why it matters: OES runs time‑sensitive public notification systems and supports exercises and training; reductions in state grant revenue or program shifts by state agencies could reduce local capacity. Nelson’s presentation identified line‑item impacts and potential service tradeoffs for commissioners to weigh.
Key details she presented include: - Training and exercises: Nelson budgeted for two deliveries of ICS classes and associated refreshment costs and said she spent a $400 allotment during a full‑scale exercise last year to ensure safety in warm weather. - Software: Nelson said she sought quotes for new emergency‑notification software and reported an increase in anticipated annual maintenance to about $15,300, an adjustment she requested be made in the budget. - Radio repairs and programming: Nelson said radios installed on mobile command vehicles are used and can cost $600–$1,200 for repairs. The largest increase in the proposed budget was for contracted services to reprogram patrol and handheld radios countywide.
Nelson told commissioners she had reduced several line items and was uncertain whether proposed state legislation would ultimately reduce DES funding allocated to local entities. Sheriff Brian Hino and other officials earlier warned the group that the state’s allocation of DES funds may shift toward state level operations, which could reduce local dollars.
Next steps: Nelson recommended close monitoring of state legislation and coordination with state partners to secure instructors and training; commissioners asked clarifying questions about the magnitude of revenue reductions and what general‑fund support might be needed if state grant revenue declines.
