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Missoula County reallocates $125,000 in remitted TIF funds to United Way housing sprint
Summary
Missoula County commissioners approved using $125,000 of remitted tax-increment funds—originally set aside for temporary restroom construction—to fund a housing sprint inside city limits with United Way as fiscal agent.
When the Missoula County Commission adopted the fiscal year 2025 budget, part of a city remittance from a tax increment financing (TIF) district was set aside for restroom construction at a temporary safe outdoor space. On the commission agenda, a county staff member said the city has agreed to donate the restrooms that will no longer be used at Johnson Street, allowing the county to reallocate the $125,000 originally reserved for one restroom to a housing sprint administered by United Way.
The county staff member explained that the money comes from tax growth inside the TIF district and was remitted to taxing jurisdictions, saying the remittance “is funding that was collected inside the city” and was directed in the FY 2025 budget. County staff said equivalent funds came from residents and property owners inside that district and stressed that residents outside the district would not be paying for the sprint.
Commissioners voted to approve the agreement with United Way to hold and administer the housing sprint fund; the motion passed with no recorded opposition. The motion text displayed to the commission requested using $125,000 for the “housing sprint fund” and named United Way as fiscal agent for the funds.
County staff provided a budget breakdown for the remittance: roughly $1.1 million remitted to the county overall, about $853,000 applied to the Johnson Street shelter, approximately $155,000 originally allocated for restroom construction (now reallocated), and about $100,000 remaining uncommitted to roll into FY 2026. Staff characterized the reallocation as discretionary remittance money; they said “there are no strings attached” to the remitted funds beyond their having come from that district.
Commissioners and staff framed the reallocation as a timely, pragmatic response to an immediate housing need after the city remittance and shelter changes. One commissioner noted the county’s interest in preventing displaced people from camping outside city limits and said partnering on a short-term housing sprint could stabilize some people more effectively than closing the shelter without alternatives.
The commission did not specify a formal performance or reporting schedule for the sprint in the discussion recorded on the transcript; the agreement names United Way as fiscal agent but the transcript does not provide further operational details or an implementation timeline.
