Missoula County Budget Planning Moving Forward as Residents Face Key Participation Window

MISSOULA, MT — Missoula County is beginning its Fiscal Year 2026 budget process, and officials are seeking public input on how your tax dollars should be spent over the next year.

The budget will determine funding for all county services from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026 — from public safety and road maintenance to social services and administrative operations.

County commissioners have started hearing budget requests from departments this month, with meetings continuing through June. Now is the time for residents to get involved and make their voices heard on spending priorities.

How to participate:

Department Budget Presentations (June):
County commissioners hold public administrative meetings at 10 a.m. most Tuesdays and Thursdays, where staff present budget requests. Agendas and meeting details are at missoula.co/bccmeetings.

Formal Budget Hearings:

• Thursday, July 24, at 2 p.m.: Preliminary Budget Hearing — Public comment welcomed

• Thursday, Sept. 4, at 2 p.m.: Final Budget Hearing — Commissioners vote on final budget

The public can attend in person in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse Annex at 200 W. Broadway.

“Your input helps shape the services that impact you and the residents of Missoula County,” county officials stated in their notification to residents.

This budget process represents your opportunity to influence how tax dollars are allocated across county services. The decisions made over the next few months will affect county operations and service levels for the entire fiscal year.

The county is encouraging residents to “stay engaged in this process” as commissioners review department requests and prepare the preliminary budget for public review in July.