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Local officials tell Montana committee grant rules, capacity create barriers
Summary
City and county leaders told the Local Government Interim Committee that administrative capacity, matching requirements and coordination with state agencies affect their ability to secure federal and state grants during a Jan. 22, 2026 hearing in Helena and by Zoom.
Local government representatives described practical challenges in applying for and administering federal and state grants, and asked the committee for clearer state support and coordination.
Jennifer Olson, Government Affairs Director for the Montana League of Cities and Towns, outlined municipal concerns about matching requirements and administrative capacity. Mayors and municipal staff — including Sandra Jones (Mayor, City of Roundup), Holly Phelps (City Manager, Lewistown), Gail Leeper (Mayor, Drummond) and Robin Wight (Clerk, Drummond) — described how limited staff resources and grant-compliance burdens affect small and mid-sized towns.
Melissa Gordon, Director of Grants & Community Resources for Missoula County, and Kristen Galbraith, Director of Grants & Special Projects for Park County, discussed county-level grant management and needs. Jason Rittal, Deputy Director of the Montana Association of Counties, provided public comment and answered committee questions about county priorities and coordination with state agencies.
Committee members followed with questions focused on improving state supports to increase local grant access; the session closed without formal action but with staff-directed follow-up discussed during the committee work session later in the afternoon.
