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Citizen Portal News Montana
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Billings is taking bold steps to crack down on extreme speeding and loud vehicles with a new noise ordinance that empowers officers to act decisively.

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#BillingsYellowstone #MT #TrafficEnforcement #BillingsNoiseOrdinance #PublicSafety #CommunityNoise #CitizenPortal
Billings reviews speed/noise data and moves to pursue a local noise ordinance and targeted enforcement
City staff presented speed and noise monitoring data and a proposed noise ordinance that would give officers discretion to cite excessively loud vehicles; council asked staff to collect more data, provide cost estimates, and return with a redline ordinance and options for enforcement and fines.
citizenportal.ai
December 13, 2025 at 9:18 AM
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Livingston City just revamped its 42-year-old zoning code to modernize land use, but a controversial agricultural district proposal was pulled after intense public debate.

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#LivingstonCityParkCounty #MT #CommunityDevelopment #LandUsePolicy #OpenSpaceProtection
City adopts comprehensive zoning code rewrite; proposed agricultural district removed after debate
After extensive public comment and a lengthy review, the commission adopted a new zoning code on second reading but directed staff to remove the proposed agricultural district pending further study and public outreach. The rewrite is the first comprehensive zoning update since 1981.
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December 13, 2025 at 2:47 AM
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Kalispell's ambitious Planet 2045 plan aims to navigate a projected population boom with 10,000 new housing units, but residents are demanding clearer communication and safeguards before the changes unfold.

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#KalispellFlatheadCounty #MT #CommunityOutreach #KalispellPlanning
Kalispell staff present Planet 2045 under MALUPA; residents press for clearer outreach and safeguards
City staff presented Planet 2045, Kalispell's draft land-use plan prepared to meet the Montana Land Use Planning Act (SB 382); staff emphasized growth projections that require 9,50010,000 new housing units by 2045 and outlined implementation steps. Several residents spoke at length, expressing concerns about public outreach, parking standards, infrastructure capacity, and the speed of change.
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December 12, 2025 at 7:53 PM
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Kalispell City Council has given the green light for a new 149-unit residential development, including townhomes and parkland improvements, shaping the future of local living!

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#KalispellFlatheadCounty #MT #CommunityPlanning #HousingInnovation #CitizenPortal #UrbanDevelopment
Council conditionally approves Northwest View preliminary plat with townhomes
The council voted unanimously to conditionally approve the Northwest View preliminary plat: roughly 42.6 acres with 149 residential lots (111 single‑family, 38 townhomes), required water main extension and parkland dedication obligations; planning commission recommended approval with conditions.
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December 12, 2025 at 9:04 AM
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Kalispell City Council's recent vote on a controversial subdivision has sparked a heated debate over environmental protection and community safety—will the risk to Ashley Creek's ecosystem pay off for housing demand?

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#KalispellFlatheadCounty #MT #EnvironmentalProtection
Council approves North Meadows preliminary plat but grants setback variances for Ashley Creek
Council conditionally approved the North Meadows preliminary plat with three variances, including a reduction of the standard 200‑foot impaired‑stream setback in places to about 100 feet, after extended public comment and a split council vote; one councilor recused.
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December 12, 2025 at 7:46 AM
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The Billings City Council has just approved a massive $502 million five-year Capital Improvement Plan, but key projects are being pushed into the future amid heated debates over utility rates and funding priorities.

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#BillingsYellowstone #MT #TrailAccessibility #UtilityRateReform
Billings council adopts $502 million five-year CIP after amendments and debate over rates and trails
After hours of debate over projected utility rate-driven projects and trail funding, the Billings City Council approved the FY2027–FY2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) — a five-year plan of 128 projects totaling $502 million — after moving several trail projects into out years and reducing an evidence-lot estimate.
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December 12, 2025 at 5:59 AM
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Kalispell City Council is shaking up the rules on revoking conditional use permits, ensuring property rights are protected while extending compliance deadlines to 30 days!

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#KalispellFlatheadCounty #MT #KalispellPropertyRights #DueProcess #RegulatoryReform #CitizenPortal
Kalispell council tightens conditional‑use permit revocation process, extends compliance window
Council debated and amended Ordinance 19‑48 to clarify how conditional use permits (CUPs) can be revoked, add procedural protections including notice and appeal rights, and set the compliance window at 30 business days; council also added a non‑retroactivity clause applying changes only to CUPs granted after Jan. 15, 2026.
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December 12, 2025 at 5:51 AM
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The Missoula City Council has given the green light for a new tavern and casino, sparking debate over neighborhood needs and the rising number of gambling establishments in the area.

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#MissoulaMissoulaCounty #MT #NeighborhoodNeeds #LocalGovAI #MissoulaCommunity #CitizenPortal
Missoula council approves tavern and casino at 2315 Clark Fork Lane over some council objections
The council approved a conditional-use request allowing a tavern and a small casino at 2315 Clark Fork Lane (vote 10–2) after staff said the project meets Title 20 criteria; the application includes a one-story 6,880 sq ft building with a restaurant expected to occupy about 75% of the space.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 2:09 AM
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The Missoula City Council has approved a $148,700 contract for a living roof at the Public Library, igniting a heated debate over funding sources and community impact.

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#MissoulaMissoulaCounty #MT #GreenInfrastructure #PublicEngagement #StormwaterManagement #CitizenPortal
Council authorizes $148,700 contract for Missoula Public Library living roof amid debate over funding sources
Council authorized a $148,700 contract for engineering and construction-phase services on a living roof at the Missoula Public Library and discussed grant and tax-increment financing; the motion passed 10–1–1 after committee recommendation.
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December 12, 2025 at 2:08 AM
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Missoula County is taking proactive steps to secure funding for the vital Highway 200 project by asking federal officials to reassign a rescinded grant while exploring new funding opportunities.

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#MissoulaCounty #MT #CommunityDevelopment #CitizenPortal #GrantFunding
Missoula County asks federal delegation to rehome rescinded Highway 200 grant, will pursue alternative funding
County staff will ask the federal delegation to reassign a rescinded Neighborhood Access Grant for Highway 200/East Missoula to another federal program and will evaluate newly released funding opportunities to pursue phased project funding.
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December 11, 2025 at 6:04 AM
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Missoula County is facing a wrongful-death lawsuit after a tragic incident involving an in-custody death linked to a ruptured bag of methamphetamine.

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#MissoulaCounty #MT #PublicSafety #MissoulaCountyLaw #CitizenPortal #JusticeReform #CivicAccountability
County says it was served with wrongful-death lawsuit tied to an in-custody death; plans to defend
County counsel informed commissioners that Missoula County was served with a wrongful-death complaint naming the county and three staff members; the autopsy cited a ruptured bag of methamphetamine and the county intends to defend and will file an answer within 21 days.
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December 11, 2025 at 6:03 AM
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Missoula County is investing $2.8 million into upgrading the historic John Engen Local Government Building, focusing on hazardous materials removal and improved accessibility.

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#MissoulaCounty #MT #AccessibilityImprovements #EnvironmentalRehabilitation #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal
County approves FY26 John Engen Building abatement, ADA and backbone planning with brownfields support
The commissioners approved FY2026 operations, hazardous‑materials abatement and ADA entrance work for the John Engen Local Government Building and agreed to a brownfields abatement agreement to use city and state funds to cover abatement costs.
citizenportal.ai
December 11, 2025 at 3:47 AM
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Missoula County is on the brink of a major overhaul for community councils, aiming to standardize how they operate and align with state law—what does this mean for your community?

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#MissoulaCounty #MT #CommunityGovernance #PublicParticipation #LocalAccountability #CitizenPortal
County advances community council ordinance to standardize boundaries, appointments and records
Missoula County held the first hearing on an ordinance to replace disparate resolutions governing community councils with a standardized ordinance; commissioners voted to move the ordinance to a second hearing on Jan. 8, 2026.
citizenportal.ai
December 11, 2025 at 3:30 AM
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Frenchtown residents are rallying against a controversial Town Pump development, citing serious concerns over traffic safety and environmental impact.

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#MissoulaCounty #MT #TrafficSafety #WaterProtection #MissoulaCountyCommunity #CommunityInput #CitizenPortal
Frenchtown residents urge county to block or rezone proposed Town Pump development, seek independent traffic study
Residents from Frenchtown told the Missoula County commissioners they gathered thousands of petition signatures opposing a proposed Town Pump development at the Frenchtown exit and asked the county for zoning help and an independent traffic study citing safety and water concerns.
citizenportal.ai
December 11, 2025 at 3:10 AM
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The City Council's controversial approval of the North Meadows subdivision has sparked fierce debates over environmental concerns and safety, with a significant reduction in the Ashley Creek setback at the heart of the conflict.

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#KalispellFlatheadCounty #MT #CitizenPortal
North Meadows preliminary plat approved amid heavy opposition over Ashley Creek setback
Council conditionally approved the North Meadows preliminary plat and three variances, including a reduction of the Ashley Creek setback from 200 ft to approximately 100 ft in places; the vote followed extended public comment citing wildlife corridors, slope stability and safety concerns and included a councilor recusal.
citizenportal.ai
December 3, 2025 at 12:05 AM
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Kalispell's City Council just shook things up by amending the rules for revoking conditional use permits, ensuring clearer procedures and protections for property rights!

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#KalispellFlatheadCounty #MT #CitizenPortal #KalispellZoning #CivicAccountability #UrbanPlanning
Kalispell council narrows new CUP revocation rules after lengthy debate
Council debated and amended Ordinance 19-48, which clarifies how the city can revoke conditional use permits (CUPs). After motions over intent, timing and due process, the council added a provision making changes effective only for CUPs granted after Jan. 15, 2026.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 11:47 PM
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A heated debate brews in Silver Bow County over whether the coroner's role should remain tied to law enforcement or become an independent office, highlighting the crucial balance between investigative experience and medical expertise.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #CitizenPortal
Experts and commissioners split on whether coroner should be law‑enforcement role or independent office
Presentations from a former sheriff/coroner and the current civil coroner framed trade‑offs: law‑enforcement coroners bring investigative experience while civilian coroners can provide an independent, medical‑focused perspective; commissioners discussed qualifications, accreditation and chain‑of‑custody procedures.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 4:51 PM
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A push for an independent Superfund coordinator has ignited a heated debate among commissioners about the future of environmental oversight in Silver Bow County.

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#SilverBowCounty #MT #CitizenPortal #SilverBowCountySuperfund #EnvironmentalCleanup #CivicAccountability
Commission debates request for independent Superfund coordinator; county official says Superfund now a standalone department
A letter urging an independent Superfund coordinator prompted discussion. Director Eric Hassler said Superfund work is now managed by the Department of Reclamation and Environmental Services and suggested memorializing that department in the charter; commissioners asked for clarification and possible working‑group follow-up.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 4:43 PM
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Missoula City Council just approved a major budget amendment, boosting revenues by over $2 million—what does this mean for the community?

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#MissoulaMissoulaCounty #MT #HistoricPreservation #CitizenPortal #LocalGovernance #FiscalTransparency #MissoulaBudget
Missoula council approves Q1 FY2026 budget amendments, clears consent agenda and confirms historic-preservation appointments
The Missoula City Council unanimously approved a resolution to adopt first-quarter FY2026 budget amendments that increase revenues by $2,035,515 and appropriations by $2,913,479; the council also passed a multi-item consent agenda and confirmed three reappointments and one promotion to the Historic Preservation Commission.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 3:54 AM
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Missoula has successfully transformed McKinley Lake, restoring critical fish habitats and setting a groundbreaking model for decommissioning aging dams!

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#MissoulaMissoulaCounty #MT #CitizenPortal #WaterResourceManagement #WildlifeConservation #MissoulaLakes #EcosystemRestoration
Missoula restores McKinley Lake and unveils model to remove six more wilderness dams
City of Missoula staff described the successful McKinley Lake pilot project that used a hybrid of limited motorized tools, controlled blasting and volunteer labor to breach a 100‑year‑old dam, rebuild stream channel, plant native vegetation and restore fish connectivity; officials plan NEPA for six additional dams in 2025–26.
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December 2, 2025 at 3:14 AM
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Celia Winkler argues that to truly progress beyond capitalism, we must reframe reproductive labor as essential, publicly supported care work, and foster a community of reflective solidarity that values inclusion over uniformity.

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#MissoulaMissoulaCounty #MT #CitizenPortal
Scholar urges reframing reproductive labor as public care and building 'reflective solidarity'
Celia Winkler (retired University of Montana sociology professor) told a Missoula audience that reproductive labor should be recognized as care work, compensated democratically, and supported by flexible decision structures and inclusive solidarity.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 3:09 AM
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Josh Decker argues that housing should be a fundamental right, not a market commodity, and calls for community-driven models that prioritize dignity and security for all.

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#MissoulaMissoulaCounty #MT #CitizenPortal #CommunitySecurity #MissoulaHousing #TenantUnions
Missoula panelist: housing must be treated as a social good, not a commodity
Josh Decker told a Missoula audience that housing is dignity and not merely shelter, criticized local camping restrictions that target unhoused people, and urged tenant unions, land trusts and co‑ownership as alternatives.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 3:08 AM
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Mark Anderlich boldly connects the dots between democratic worker control, internationalism, and the urgent need to dismantle the military-industrial complex for a truly equitable future.

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#MissoulaMissoulaCounty #MT #InternationalSolidarity #CitizenPortal #WorkerSelfManagement
Union organizer links democratic worker control to internationalism and demilitarization
Mark Anderlich described democratic control of productive property, worker self‑management, job guarantees and the need to dismantle elements of the U.S. military‑industrial complex as part of a global socialist project.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 3:08 AM
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Justice York is challenging us to rethink our ecological future with bold eco-socialist policies that empower Indigenous communities and promote sustainable living.

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#MissoulaMissoulaCounty #MT #CitizenPortal #SustainableCommunities #RegenerativeAgriculture
Panelist calls for eco‑socialist policies, land back and investment in public transit
Justice York urged a post‑capitalist ecological agenda in Missoula that includes land back for indigenous stewardship, degrowth strategies, regenerative agriculture and investment in high‑speed rail and walkable cities.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 3:06 AM
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A panel in Missoula challenged the status quo with bold visions for a post-capitalist future, addressing everything from eco-socialism to housing as a human right.

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#MissoulaMissoulaCounty #MT #EcoSocialism #CitizenPortal #MissoulaSocialism #LaborSelfManagement
Missoula panelists outline varied visions for a post‑capitalist future
Five panelists at a Western Montana DSA event in Missoula presented proposals spanning labor self‑management, eco‑socialism and degrowth, health as a commons, care work and housing alternatives, and called for organizing and democratic practices to implement them.
citizenportal.ai
December 2, 2025 at 3:05 AM