Missoula commissioners approve ballot measure asking voters to authorize $1.8 million levy for roads, bridges and trails

Missoula County commissioners voted July 30 to place a measure before county voters asking for authorization to levy $1,800,000 annually for construction, repair and maintenance of county roads, bridges and shared-use paths.

Chris Lounsbury, Missoula County chief administrative officer, and Jason Mitchell, public works director, framed the request as a response to an acute funding gap for local road and bridge maintenance and to improve the county—s ability to provide local match on state and federal grants. "We really do have a number of big challenges facing the county in this area of public infrastructure," Lounsbury said, pointing to weight-limited bridge closures, deteriorating pavement and increased shared-use paths that require maintenance.

Mitchell detailed the county—s infrastructure inventory and budgets: Missoula County manages about 450 miles of maintained roads (264 paved, 186 gravel), 61 bridges over 20 feet, 62 bridges under 20 feet and roughly 346 inspected culverts (the county estimates many more smaller culverts under its purview). He described recommended preventative maintenance levels and the current shortfall. "If we—re looking at what we should be spending just for roads, materials and bridges, it—s about $5,140,000 per year," Mitchell said. "Our total budgeted amount is about $550,000. So it leaves a total yearly deficit of $4,590,000."

Mitchell and Lounsbury said the $1.8 million ask would be used for materials (as the county owns much of the needed equipment) and as local match when applying for state and federal grants. Lounsbury gave an estimated homeowner impact: about $3.80 per $100,000 in assessed value, which he translated to approximately $26.21 per year (about $2 per month) for a $600,000 home under current valuation calculations described at the hearing.

Public commenters included residents who questioned how funds would be spent and whether money could be saved for large projects. Ted Morgan of Condon asked whether levy revenue would fund grant match only or personnel; Mitchell responded that staff anticipates using funds primarily for materials and to prevent bridge closures. Kevin Davis and others pressed for clarity on personnel costs and long-term sustainability; staff said personnel costs are separate and the levy is intended primarily for materials and match. Dara Wilson urged caution about building new infrastructure without planning for maintenance.

Commissioners discussed legislative context, citing past local-option gas tax authority and a failed House Bill 489 that would have created a tourism tax option. Commissioners said recent state property-tax changes create some new capacity to ask voters and framed this measure as one incremental option amid larger funding needs. One commissioner summarized the choice to voters: "What we're doing today is giving the choice to voters in Missoula County, and we shall see if they have the appetite to pay $2 a month to at least take an incremental step towards improving our infrastructure," the commissioner said.

A commissioner moved to approve the resolution calling for submission to county electors of the question authorizing the Board of County Commissioners to levy $1,800,000 for roads, bridges and trails; another commissioner seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. Staff said the levy revenues would be available to use as match for grant applications and to purchase materials; staff also noted some portion of funds could be set aside year-to-year to accumulate toward larger bridge projects if the commission so directs in future budgeting.

The vote sends the measure to the ballot for Missoula County voters to approve or reject, and staff will return with implementation and ballot-timing details as needed.