Missoula County approves city-vetted open-space projects, authorizes county bond funding transfers

Missoula County commissioners voted to accept city-approved open-space projects and authorize county funding to complete three projects drawn from the city’s open-space bond program.

Under an interlocal agreement between the city and county, the projects were vetted and approved through the city’s open-space process; the county’s role was to accept the city decisions and authorize transfers from county-issued open-space bonds so the city can complete the projects. County staff described the actions as the final step in a multi-stage approval process.

The three projects and county funding amounts discussed at the meeting were: $26,050 in county open-space-bond funds for the Hayden Grass Valley Conservation Easement; $530,000 toward a fee-simple acquisition of 5.4 acres from the Resurrection Cemetery Association for a north-side city park; and $344,000 from the city portion of the open-space bond toward a conservation easement on 1,677 acres owned by the Enderland family, to be held by Five Valleys Land Trust.

Zach Covington, who presented the items, said he had not prepared a formal presentation but explained that the projects had already been vetted and approved by the city and that the county’s authorization would allow the city to complete the transactions.

Randy Arnold provided additional background on the interlocal structure and the fact that the open-space bonds are county-issued instruments that require county action when city projects draw on the bond funds. A commissioner described the projects as “solid,” and one commissioner moved approval; another seconded. The commission then voted “aye” to approve the items.

The approvals allow the city to proceed with the acquisitions and conservation easement closings using the county bond allocations. No conditions, amendments or dissent were recorded in the meeting transcript.