Belgrade City Council Meeting - September 1, 2026

The Belgrade City Council met on September 1, 2026, to address several key items including a state-mandated change to residential parking requirements, restructuring of forestry and street maintenance fees, adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, and related resolutions. The meeting opened with a proclamation for Suicide Prevention Month and included public hearings and council votes on all major agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda (routine approvals) unanimously without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Street maintenance fee restructuring: Karen Anderson (600 Black Diamond Street) expressed concern that the proposed increase was unnecessary, citing budget documents showing a $451,000 surplus. City staff clarified that the apparent surplus was due to accounting transfers and that the street fund actually requires general fund support. Another resident, Roy Krause, asked about the current single-family fee ($205) and the proposed increase (approximately 15%).
• Public forum: No public comments were made. No public testimony was offered on the parking ordinance, forestry fee, budget, or medical levy items beyond the street fee comment.

Discussion Items

• State-mandated parking requirement (Ordinance 2026-07 first reading): City staff introduced the ordinance to comply with Montana House Bill 492, which sets minimum off-street parking for residential units: 0.5 spaces per unit for dwellings ≤1,200 sq ft (rounded up to one), and one space per unit for larger dwellings. The council noted the lack of alternative transportation in Belgrade and expressed frustration over the state mandate but recognized the city has no discretion. The planning commission had recommended approval. The council approved the first reading unanimously.
• Forestry assessment restructuring (Resolution 2026-17): The council considered changing from a flat fee per parcel to a fee based on acreage, following earlier discrepancies in property lists. The proposed structure sets a cap for properties over one acre ($70.25, up from $70) and aims to collect $200,000 in revenue. Approximately 70% of properties would see fees at or below the previous year, and 90% (smaller lots) would see a modest increase. After a public hearing with no comments, the council approved the resolution (roll call: all ayes).
• Street maintenance fee restructuring (Resolution 2026-18?): The council adopted a new assessment method changing from a flat fee per parcel to a fee by land use, intended to spread costs more equitably. The current flat fee of $205 per single-family unit would increase by about 15% for many parcels. City Manager Neil Cardwell noted that without the change, the flat fee would have needed to rise to nearly $300 to meet revenue needs, due to inflation and to reduce general fund subsidies. The council approved the resolution (roll call: all ayes).
• Fiscal Year 2027 final budget (Resolution 2026-19): Finance Director Charity presented a detailed budget overview. Key changes from the preliminary budget included adjustments for software, police overtime, a public works director search, and court clerk reclassification. Total salary and benefits budget is approximately $14 million for 113.33 FTEs, a net increase of 1.5 FTE (chief civil attorney and part-time clerk upgrade). Property values rose 26% but newly taxable value was down 11%, with concerns about state valuation accuracy. The general fund is projected to have an unrestricted fund balance of 12% of expenses (above the 10% goal). The budget includes $700,000 transfer to the CIP for the Justice Center, a new public works facility design, and other capital investments. The street fund will operate at a zero fund balance with a $54,000 general fund transfer. The council adopted the budget (roll call: all ayes).
• Permissive medical levy (Resolution 2026-20): The levy, which offsets health insurance costs, is decreasing slightly due to fewer filled positions as of July 1, 2026. The council approved the resolution (roll call: all ayes).
• Property tax levy resolution (Resolution 2026-21): Total mill levy decreased from 224.something to 212.23, resulting in a slight tax reduction if property values remain constant. The council approved the resolution (roll call: all ayes).

Key Outcomes

• Proclaimed September 1–30, 2026, as Suicide Prevention Month in Belgrade, with an address from Tracy Rexley of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
• Approved Ordinance 2026-07 (first reading) amending parking requirements to conform with state law.
• Adopted Resolution 2026-17 restructuring the forestry assessment fee to an acreage-based fee.n- Adopted Resolution restructuring the street maintenance fee to a land-use-based fee.n- Adopted the Fiscal Year 2027 final budget (Resolution 2026-19).n- Adopted Resolution 2026-20 for the permissive medical levy.n- Adopted Resolution 2026-21 for the mill levy and additional property tax revenue.
• City Manager Neil Cardwell reported on Justice Center construction: work began this week, with unexpected roof issues (multiple layers causing leaks) requiring a patch; project remains on track for year-end completion.
• Councilmember Guthey reported on alley beautification program: nearly complete for this summer, with plans for ongoing rotation every five–six years.
• Councilmember Bell reported on the Senior Center's 20th anniversary celebration of the park and ongoing Bike Pump Track construction at Mayfair Meadow Park.