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Citizen Conservation Board presents five priorities including new climate resiliency plan and continued solar loan funding
Summary
The Citizen Conservation Board asked the commission to support a new community climate action and resiliency plan, continued funding for the Residential Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Loan Program, a pilot multi‑department EV, a glass crusher for local recycling and Law & Justice Building xeriscape signage.
Mia Anderson, a city staff member presenting for the Citizen Conservation Board, delivered the board’s FY26 recommendations to the Helena City Commission on March 19, asking the commission to consider five priority items: a new community Climate Action and Resiliency Plan; continued funding for the Residential Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Loan Program (the “solar loan” program established by Resolution 20218); investment in green transportation via a pilot city multi‑department electric vehicle; purchase of a task‑specific glass crusher to enable local glass recycling; and signage and outreach to promote water‑wise landscaping at the Law & Justice Building.
Anderson said the board recommends a community resiliency plan because the 2009 Climate Action Plan primarily focused on city operations and the city and metropolitan area population have grown about 19% since 2009. "The plan should focus on both city actions and residential resiliency efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change," Anderson said.
On the solar loan program, Anderson reported that 65 loans have been issued from the fund for about $727,000 in total distribution; the commission added $80,000 during FY20–FY25 and new funds were dispersed by October 2024. The board asked the commission to continue funding the loan program to meet demand; Anderson said there were at least seven applicants on a waiting list when the report was prepared.
For fleet electrification, the board recommended a single multi‑department EV for staff to test in local conditions before larger fleet purchases. Commissioners and staff discussed past EV experience (the city purchased a fully electric vehicle in 2014 that proved impractical for winter conditions) and noted that larger electric equipment remains cost‑challenging.
On solid waste, the board proposed budgeting for a glass crusher to allow local recycling with an estimated three‑year return on investment; staff said the Ash Grove cement plant nearby could accept crushed glass. On water conservation, the board recommended completing xeriscaping at the Law & Justice Building and adding signage to connect residents with resources for xeriscape and drought‑tolerant landscaping.
The board presented these as recommendations for the FY26 budget cycle; staff and commissioners said they will discuss specific dollar amounts and implementation during budget deliberations. No formal commission vote was recorded on the recommendations at the March 19 meeting.
