Missoula Redevelopment to Consider $75,000 for Library Green Roof Despite City’s Deficit Budget

MISSOULA — The Missoula Redevelopment Agency board will consider approving $75,000 in tax increment financing for a “living roof” project at the Missoula Public Library during Thursday’s meeting, just weeks after the city adopted a budget with a $2.5 million deficit and Missoula County imposed an 8% property tax increase.

The request comes as local governments face increasing scrutiny over spending priorities while raising taxes on residents already struggling with Montana’s housing affordability crisis.

$250,000 Project Seeks Multiple Funding Sources

The library green roof project carries a total local match requirement of $250,000 to qualify for a $1 million federal EPA grant. The funding breakdown reveals the project’s dependence on multiple government agencies and taxpayer-funded sources:

• Missoula Library Foundation: $70,000
• DNRC Renewable Resource Grant: $30,000
• Missoula County: $75,000
• Missoula Redevelopment Agency (pending): $75,000

The MRA portion would be paid over two fiscal years using tax increment financing, a funding mechanism that diverts property tax revenue from schools and other taxing jurisdictions to redevelopment projects.

According to MRA documents, the project would “convert approximately a third of an acre (13,000 sf) of impervious roof surface into vegetated surface” and provide “educational opportunities.” The agency notes it has $3.4 million in contingency funds available in the Front Street Urban Renewal District.

Timing Raises Questions About Priorities

The funding request comes at a challenging time for Missoula taxpayers. In late August, the city adopted a fiscal year 2026 budget that includes a $2.5 million deficit while simultaneously increasing overall city property tax revenues by 3.39%, or about $2.4 million.

Mayor Andrea Davis acknowledged the city remains “$1.8 million short of meeting our cash reserve policy” and must continue working to eliminate the remaining budget deficit.

Adding to taxpayer burden, Missoula County commissioners approved an 8% property tax increase for fiscal year 2026, generating $4.6 million in additional revenue. This came after county commissioners initially sought $5.76 million more from property taxpayers to fund expanded grant administration and climate programs.

Original Design Scrapped for Budget Reasons

The MRA memo reveals the library’s living roof was part of the original design when the facility opened in 2021 but was eliminated “in response to budget restraints.” Instead, “stone ballast was installed on the roofs rather than vegetation.”

Now, four years later, local governments are asking taxpayers to fund the aesthetic enhancement that was previously deemed unaffordable during the library’s construction.

The memo acknowledges this “would not be the first living roof in Missoula” but would be “the largest and the most visible, providing ample educational opportunities.”

MRA Board Meeting Details

The MRA board will meet Thursday, September 18, at noon in the Hal Fraser Conference Room at 140 W Pine Street. The meeting is also available via Microsoft Teams or live stream on the city’s website.

Staff recommends the board “authorize the use of up to $75,000 in TIF funds” and authorize the board chair to sign a memorandum of understanding with the city’s Stormwater Utility, which would manage the project.

The board will also consider other significant expenditures, including a feasibility study for “Caras Park Outdoor Recreational Ribbon” and property acquisitions near Southgate Crossing and the North MRL Triangle.

Public comment will be accepted on all agenda items during the meeting.