Votes at a glance: Helena City Commission approves budget, levies, CPACE, flume repair and other resolutions

The Helena City Commission on Sept. 8 voted on multiple resolutions and motions; the commission approved each item on unanimous roll calls recorded as 5-0. Items included grant- and contract-related approvals, budget and levy resolutions, administrative election procedures for neighborhood council races, CPACE program adoption, a commercial property tax abatement, and final budget adoption.

Key outcomes (all listed measures passed 5-0 unless otherwise noted):

- Resolution designating the environmental certifying official for the Helena Area Habitat for Humanity HUD Self‑Help Opportunity Program (SHOP) grant application: approved. Jacob Koontz, executive director of Helena Area Habitat for Humanity, thanked the commission and staff for support during the public comment segment.

- Bid award for Red Mountain Flume repair (project no. 22-04): approved base bid + additive alternate 1 to Hard Rock Road Building and Utilities Inc.; approved $525,000 budget amendment to activate cash reserves as contingency. Staff reported three bids were opened Aug. 12; award and amendment approved to allow use of ARPA funds and to provide a typical ~10% construction contingency.

- Resolution establishing the method of levying voted mills as required by the 2025 legislative session (chapters referenced in staff remarks): commission approved resetting the voted levy to a dollar-based method (staff described advantages including transparency and alignment with the Montana League of Cities and Towns guidance).

- Resolution canceling the Helena Citizens Council (HCC) general election for districts 1–7, declaring candidates elected by acclamation where filed, and establishing the appointment procedure for remaining vacancies: approved. Staff noted the county election supervisor requested the city cancel those elections due to lack of candidate filings.

- Resolution to establish a Commercial Property Assessed Capital Enhancements (CPACE) program: approved (see separate article for details).

- Resolution providing for the annual tax levy in mills for FY 2025–26: approved. Staff presented the levy breakdown, including a supplemental fire levy translated to mills (11.54 mills) and a total levy figure of 174.87 mills for the 2025 tax year; staff noted certified values resulted in a $200,000 reduction from preliminary estimates.

- Resolution approving a tax abatement application for the property at 3 Washington Place (historic district): approved. Staff said the estimated five‑year abatement totaled $1,083 and that the Historic Preservation Office and county had recommended approval.

- Resolution adopting final budgets, budget authorities and appropriations for FY 2025–26 and setting the municipal court judge salary: approved. Staff described changes from the preliminary budget, including the addition of a general obligation bond for a new fire station (accounting transactions increased appropriations by roughly $15.9 million), adjustments to several funds (sidewalks, water fund liabilities and Missouri River treatment plant flood repairs), transfers to create an internal service fund for Public Works, and other reconciliations. Staff noted a $200,000 reduction in projected property tax revenue after final certified values.

All roll-call results recorded by the clerk showed Commissioners Shurtleff, Dean, Reid, and Logan and Mayor Wilmot Collins voting Aye on each motion.

Several items attracted brief public comment. Jacob Koontz of Helena Area Habitat for Humanity spoke in support of the environmental certifying official designation for the SHOP grant application. There were no recorded public comments against the listed measures.

Because these items were routine approvals or technical budgetary actions with limited debate, the commission recorded each as passed and moved to subsequent agenda business.