Missoula County seeks second climate-action coordinator and increased contract with Climate Smart Missoula

Missoula County Planning and Development Services (PDS) asked the Board to add a second climate action program coordinator and increase the county’s annual contract with Climate Smart Missoula.

PDS described the county’s climate work as split between reducing emissions (clean electricity/carbon neutrality) and adaptation (managing unavoidable impacts). Two existing positions already split time across those priorities; PDS requested a second program coordinator to expand capacity within the department and across county departments for implementation, project management and interagency coordination. The request covers ongoing personnel costs and operating needs such as training and equipment.

PDS also asked the Board to consider increasing the county’s contract with Climate Smart Missoula, which currently stands at about $35,000 per year, by $5,000 to $10,000 depending on negotiated scope. County staff described Climate Smart Missoula’s work as supporting wildfire smoke readiness, the home upgrade hub, Electrify Missoula and public engagement such as Climate Solutions Week and the clean energy expo.

Staff framed both requests as investments to help the county meet adopted county resolutions on climate goals and to provide project management, public engagement and cross-departmental coordination. The meeting record shows these as departmental budget requests; additional detail on salary and contract amendments would follow in budget documents.