Missoula County adopts FY2027 budget, creates large-taxpayer reserve account

The Missoula Board of County Commissioners adopted the fiscal year 2027 budget at a public hearing on Sept. 3, 2026, and approved creation of a legislatively authorized large-taxpayer reserve account. Chris Lonsbury, Missoula County chief administrative officer, presented the final budget package, describing revenue of about $225,000,000 and expenditures of about $220,000,000 and explaining the state's recent property-tax changes that affect homeowners.

Commissioner (speaker 8) moved "to close the hearings on Missoula County budget for FY 2027 ... and to adopt the resolution creating the large taxpayer reserve account and to direct staff to create the account 2388 and transfer funds"; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote, with commissioners responding "Aye." Lonsbury said of the reserve account: "This account is designed to help offset, should a jurisdiction lose 1 of its top 20 taxpayers, the impact ... by allowing counties to put money aside ... that can then be used over a 10 year period." The presentation noted the FY2027 transfer would be modest — "a little over $20,000 countywide and a little over $3,000 in our county only" — and that the account is restricted for that single purpose.

The board's adoption followed a public-comment period that included criticism of budget increases and questions about reliance on grants. The chair closed the meeting after the vote, thanking staff and members of the public.