Missoula council approves Q3 budget amendments, JAG MOU and cemetery code change; consent items pass

The Missoula City Council voted on several formal actions during its June 1 meeting, approving routine and substantive items that will affect city operations and services.

Budget amendments: Finance Director Lee Griffing presented the third‑quarter FY2026 amendments, explaining these adjustments align appropriations with project timing and recognize new or previously unavailable revenues. "The resolution that we have before council today will increase the total city revenues by a little over $8.4 million and increase budgeted appropriations or expenditures by $8.2 million," Griffing said. President Nent moved adoption of the resolution; after public comment the council took a roll call vote and approved the amendments unanimously.

JAG grant MOU: Chief Michael Collier briefed the council on a memorandum of understanding with Missoula County for the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG). Collier said the city will serve as fiduciary; the award components described included $15,812 to Missoula County to offset partial wages for a sheriff's property clerk and $60,272 for city police projects (three subscription platforms to support warrant and personnel processing plus a training aid). The council voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to sign the MOU.

Cemetery ordinance: Brett Gilman, cemetery superintendent, asked the council to amend Missoula Municipal Code Chapter 12.44 to allow vaultless green burials that meet green burial standards (approved biodegradable caskets and required documentation) and to prohibit use of unmanned aerial systems on cemetery property. Gilman described current practice and the proposed minimum depth standard for green burials: "Standing operating procedures as it stands is as close to six feet as we can get it, but... the amendment is a minimum of three ft of depth," he said. After questions from council about wildlife and depth, the ordinance was adopted unanimously.

Consent agenda: The consent agenda included accounts payable for checks dated May 26 and June 2, an agreement with HDR Engineering for construction administration services for decommissioning projects, and adoption of a voluntary energy conservation standard. Counselor Campbell separated item 9.1 (the May 26 accounts payable). On the separated item the roll call recorded 10 votes in favor and 1 opposed (Campbell). The remaining consent items passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance:
- Resolution adopting FY2026 Q3 budget amendments — Passed (unanimous roll call)
- Edward Byrne JAG MOU (authorize mayor to sign) — Passed (unanimous roll call)
- Ordinance amending MMC 12.44 (vaultless green burials; UAS prohibition) — Passed (unanimous roll call)
- Separated accounts payable (May 26 checks) — Passed 10–1 (Campbell opposed)

Next steps: The budget amendments and grant authorization enable scheduled spending and implementation; the cemetery ordinance takes effect per standard municipal ordinance procedures. Council members and staff indicated they will follow up on technical questions raised during public comment (vendor names for police software and technical details about green burial depth and floodplain/groundwater analysis).