Commissioners approve MSU Extension lease for early-learning center amid budget concerns

Cascade County commissioners approved a lease on July 14 to continue the Great Falls Early Learning Family Center arrangement that names Montana State University Extension among the lessees, but the decision drew a caution from one commissioner who said the county has not yet adopted its final budget.

The lease covers the facility at 3303 Third Street Northeast for the period shown on the agreement (effective to June 30, 2028) with monthly rent cited in the record at $2,348. One commissioner objected to approving a contract that makes a forward commitment while the board has not finalized its budget; staff noted the current agreement has expired and the county has been operating on carryover basis, and a cancellation provision exists in the new lease.

Tracy Mosley, central region department head with Montana State University Extension, spoke in favor of the arrangement and asked the commission to consider extension’s cooperative funding model. Mosley said that extension does not receive land trust funds and that federal, state and county dollars work together to deliver local services. "The county's contribution from our perspective is not a subsidy for something MSU should be covering on its own...we believe that it's the county share of a cooperative investment that brings significantly more back to Cascade County than the county puts in at a 2 to 1 ratio," Mosley said.

After public comment and discussion, commissioners voted to approve the lease extension. Staff noted the agreement includes a cancellation provision should the commission later determine not to proceed.