budgeting

The Missoula Fire Department on Wednesday kicked off the city's budgeting season, where the fate of the fire levy hangs heavy over the department's new fiscal year and how it approaches staffing and equipment.

Congress is on track to approve a staggering $468 billion in government spending this week, finishing part of the work it was supposed to complete by Oct. 1.

If passed, it would generate $7 million a year for the Missoula Fire Department and fund a new station and new fire company, and bring the department's response times within national standards.

A conservative revolt wasn’t enough to keep the lower chamber from approving the measure which, if made law, would extend government funding through March.

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The Missoula City Council passed the FY24 budget on a 9-3 vote. They also shared their thoughts, concerns and frustrations over the current tax structure and level of services.

Daniel Carlino writes, "We must not only fix our tax system by taxing tourists and the billionaires, but we must have a City Council that's willing to do the job as the political making body to make budget amendments and deliberate on the mayor's budgets each and every year thoroughly."

While city officials worked to justify their budgeting decisions for FY24 and the 9.7% city tax increase approved on Monday night, members of the public decried the city's priorities and urged it to tighten its belt and make difficult choices moving forward.

Calling the budget “very lean,” Mayor Jordan Hess on Monday night said his FY '24 budget reflected the values of Missoula and maintained his stance that Montana's tax system, not local spending, was driving an increase in taxes.

With the budget season nearing its end, the City of Missoula expects to receive its final tax numbers on Monday. The results have significant implications for the city and county's new fiscal year budget.