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Commissioners approve John Engen Local Government Building FY26 budget and brownfields abatement agreement
Summary
The board approved FY2026 operations and capital funding for hazardous-material abatement, ADA entrance upgrades and backbone planning for the John Engen Local Government Building, and authorized use of Brownfields revolving loan funds and state grants to cover abatement costs.
Missoula County commissioners on Dec. 4 approved the FY2026 operations and capital project budgets and a Brownfields abatement agreement for the John Engen Local Government Building, a historic federal building the county and city co-own.
Chief Administrative Officer Chris Lansbury summarized the building's history and the phased renovation plan. The FY2026 package includes hazardous-materials abatement (total estimate for abatement described at roughly $2.8 million, with about $927,000 anticipated in FY26), ADA entrance work supported by a state grant (roughly $350,000 grant plus county match), and backbone planning and design (estimated FY26 spending about $927,000 and a longer-term backbone estimate referenced at roughly $13 million).
Lansbury said the City of Missoula Brownfields revolving loan fund will contribute about $1.9 million toward abatement, and a state grant of roughly $857,000 will also assist. The county's operating costs for the building (heat, light, water, maintenance) were described and annual contributions from partners were noted.
Commissioner Josh Lautner moved approval of the FY26 operations and capital budgets and the Brownfields abatement agreement authorizing hazardous-material abatement, northwest‑entrance ADA upgrades, and backbone design; the motion was seconded and passed on the record.
Staff said the work will be phased and that additional design and construction phases will require future budgeting and coordination with the city.
