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5/9/2025
Missoula This Week is reported and written By Katie Fairbanks. Send your Missoula news and tips to kfairbanks@montanafreepress.org.
Two Missoula County Public Schools levies pass, unlike in most other districts
Voters approved two of the three levies requested by Missoula County Public Schools on the Tuesday ballot, while most outlying districts in the county were not as successful.
Missoula voters rejected the $1 million high school safety levy for the second year in a row but approved the $384,947 elementary and $164,315 high school operational levies.
On behalf of the Missoula County Public Schools Board of Trustees, students, staff and administration, we are humbled and grateful for the support the community has shown our schools through the passage of these levy requests, said Superintendent Micah Hill in a press release. We are naturally disappointed that the high school safety levy fell short, as it would have been significant in providing very needed resources for our students and staff.
The high school safety levy received 14,911 no votes, or about 53%, and 12,952 yes votes, or 46%, according to the unofficial results.
At current rates, the elementary general fund levy will cost the owner of a $300,000 home an additional $8.67 annually and the owner of a $600,000 home $17.34. For the high school general fund levy, the owner of a $300,000 home would pay another $2, and the owner of a $600,000 home would pay $4.02.
The high school safety levy would have cost the owner of a $300,000 home $12.24 annually and the owner of a $600,000 home $24.48.
Hill said the revenue from the safety levy would have helped offset costs currently covered by the general fund. Inflationary increases mean the district will have to identify cuts in the general fund budget to continue funding safety measures like school resource officers, he said.
Most of Missoula Countys outlying school districts saw their levies fail. The DeSmet School Districts general fund levy passed by five votes, according to the initial results. Hellgate, Target Range and Bonner school districts operational and safety levies failed. Frenchtown and Lolo ran general fund levies that also did not pass.
The East Missoula Rural Fire Departments proposed levy failed by 42 votes, with 294 opposed and 252 in favor of the measure, according to the unofficial results. The department intended the proposed levy to be up to $300,000, but the ballot read an additional $300,000 because of a language mix-up. Before the election, the department told voters they would only have to pay the additional $222,000 if the levy passed, . The department levies about $78,000 annually and said more funding is needed to help maintain services, improve response times and upgrade equipment.
Our department is comprised entirely of dedicated volunteers who balance multiple jobs and personal commitments to serve East Missoula, fire officials wrote in a . This levy was intended to provide essential funding for updated equipment and resources to ensure we can continue to respond effectively to emergencies. The outcome leaves us uncertain about the future. We will continue to serve to the best of our ability, but the challenges we face are growing. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the levy and our mission.
Voters also decided on various school trustee and special district board races. In the race for three open Missoula school board positions, incumbents Wilena Old Person, Meg Whicher and Keegan Witt retained their seats. Challenger Timothy Baigent came in fourth. More results can be found on the .
Voter turnout for the mail-only election was 34.23%, down slightly from the last two years. Results are unofficial until the canvass on May 19.
5 Things to Know in Missoula
This week, the Missoula County commissioners and city council expanded a rebate program for residents who install heat pump water heaters. The joint rebate program started in 2023 and was funded by the state Department of Environmental Quality, said Svein Newman, the countys climate action program manager. The program was set to end this month, but the city recently received a $45,920 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant from the Department of Energy to extend the rebate, Newman said. The grant allowed the governments to increase the rebate from $575 to $1,435. Heat pump water heaters cost around $2,000 plus varying installation costs, Newman said. Although they are expensive up front, heat pumps are more efficient and can help homeowners save money in the long run, he said. More information about the rebate and how to apply is .
On Tuesday, Missoula County and city officials approved the fiscal year 2025 budget for the Local Government Building Special District. The city and county in 2022 created the district to take ownership of the federal building, later renamed the John Engen Local Government Building. The city and county estimate it will cost $14 million to $16 million to renovate the 120,000-square-foot building into a local government center. The district put off finalizing its 2025 budget in hopes it would receive funding for asbestos and lead abatement projects, but money hasnt come through yet, said John Adams, the citys strategic projects administrator. The district is set to receive a $350,000 historic preservation grant from the state to make two entrances ADA accessible and upgrade lighting. The abatement and renovation projects will move forward in fiscal year 2026, Adams said. The city and county evenly split the maintenance and operation and capital costs, paying about $195,830 each for 2025.
The Missoula Food Bank and Community Center asks residents to leave donations of non-perishable food by their mailboxes Saturday for the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Mail carriers will pick up the donations while making their regular deliveries. All donations stay local. The food drive is urgent following cuts to a federal food program and a related decrease in food for the Missoula food bank, said Amy Allison, the nonprofits executive director. Most needed items include canned proteins, fruits and vegetables, nut butters, pasta, rice, boxed meals, shelf-stable milk and cereal. Residents should avoid donating glass containers and ensure items are unopened.
The Missoula Public Library is giving away free gun safety locks throughout May to support suicide prevention. The locks can be picked up at the librarys level one safety desk, no questions asked. Firearms account for 63% of all suicides in Missoula, according to Missoula Public Health. One in four survivors reported that they acted on suicidal thoughts within five minutes, and those who didnt survive most often used firearms, according to the health department. If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988.
Residents can meet city staff and ask questions during the City Chats in the Parks community engagement series this spring and summer. The first event is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Westside Park and will include staff from the citys parks and recreation, public works, neighborhoods and climate departments as well as Mountain Line. Future chats are set for May 22 at Kiwanis Park, June 3 at McLeod Park, June 10 at Sacajawea Park, Sept. 9 at Fort Missoula Regional Parks Meadowlark Shelter and Sept. 18 at McCormick Park.
By the Numbers
The amount raised during the Missoula and Bitterroot Gives online fundraiser last week. As part of the 26-hour event, more than 4,500 donors gave to 205 organizations. The fundraiser topped last years $1.2 million raised but fell short of its $1.45 million goal.
Full disclosure: 勛圖窪蹋 was a participating organization.
On Campus
The University of Montana will celebrate more than 1,800 degree candidates during its graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 10.
The university will host two on-campus ceremonies at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Adams Center. The 9 a.m. ceremony will include graduates of the College of Humanities and Sciences, the Department of Public Administration and Policy, the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation and the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education. The 2 p.m. ceremony will include graduates from the College of Business, Missoula College, the College of Health and the College of Arts and Media.
During the ceremonies, UM will present honorary doctorates to commencement speakers Steve Rinella and Eric Sprunk. Rinella is the New York Times-bestselling author of more than 10 books, the star of the Netflix television series MeatEater and the host of The MeatEater Podcast. Sprunk worked at Nike Inc. for 27 years, rising to the rank of chief operating officer.
The ceremonies are free and open to the public and will also be live-streamed on the .
UM will provide additional ADA parking spaces and seating areas for the ceremony. Other accessible accommodations are available on a first-come basis. Attendees needing other accessibility accommodations can email Brandon Kress in the Adams Center at brandon.kress@mso.umt.edu or call 406-243-5357.
Might Be Fun
Missoula Parks and Recreation is holding the inaugural Bill Phelps Kids Fishing Day at Silver Lagoon in McCormick Park on Saturday. The Phelps family donated to improve the pond and put on the event in honor of Bill and his passions for fishing, kids and swimming at Currents Aquatics Center.
Children up to 6 years old will fish from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by those 7 to 14 years old from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Prizes will be awarded in multiple categories, including youngest angler to catch a fish, smallest fish caught, biggest fish caught and most fish caught.
Parks and Recreation will provide bait and fishing poles on a first-come, first-served basis. Children 11 and younger dont need a fishing license, but those 12 to 14 need a