Billings council adopts five FY2026 budget amendments including East TIF and city hall debt payment

Billings City Council unanimously approved a package of five FY2026 budget amendments after a staff presentation and a public hearing with no speakers.

Staff outlined the five changes: $100,000 for East TIF to advance sidewalk construction in coordination with engineering; $63,006.90 to address an electrical panel and related costs in the Broadway Parks Maintenance District (PMD); $28,900 to finish a Centennial dog‑park sidewalk; accelerated planning work for Landfill Cell 6; and applying a portion of recently received historic tax credit proceeds toward city hall debt service. The finance presenter described sufficient fund balances for these items except for a shortfall anticipated in the Broadway PMD that will be managed through operations reductions and a future rate adjustment if needed.

"The first one is for the East TIF. We are asking for $100,000...The second one is going to be for our PMDs...that cost us $63,006.90," staff said. Council clarified that the city has received approximately $5.5 million in historic tax credits in total for the city hall project and that the immediate payment would reduce outstanding debt.

There were no public comments during the hearing. After questions from council about remaining debt and expected future credits, the council voted to approve the amendments on staff recommendation by unanimous voice vote.

Next steps: staff will implement the amendments, adjust PMD operations as needed, and return to council if additional funds are required.