Billings City, County, Schools Joint Meeting - October 14, 2026

The Billings City, County, and Schools joint meeting was held October 14, 2026. Discussion focused on student and pedestrian safety, the city’s domestic-violence response, school district safety programs, the proposed Yellowstone County jail expansion, and a legal challenge involving the Broadview data center. City and school representatives discussed reviewing school-zone policy, assessing crossings and traffic concerns, improving coordination on Safe Routes to School, and identifying priorities and potential funding; no project awards or spending approvals were made. The city’s domestic-violence task force is considering a family justice center, its governance, and funding mechanisms, with school-based prevention and adult education also discussed.

The county’s proposed jail expansion and related bond and mill levy were debated ahead of a ballot measure. A supporter described a 332-bed expansion and cited an estimated combined annual tax impact of $347 for a $600,000 home; a critic said the proposal could cost at least $675 million over 20 years and argued it could limit future funding for schools and other local needs. County representatives defended the proposal as a response to jail overcrowding. No vote on the jail proposal or procurement action occurred at this meeting; the only motion recorded was to adjourn. The Broadview data center item concerned a pending court review of a citizens’ petition, not a purchasing decision.