05/13/2026 Budget Council Work Session Meeting

The City of Kalispell, Montana held a Budget Council Work Session on May 13, 2026, focusing on various departmental budgets and capital projects. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comments supporting the installation of a Safe Haven Baby Box, with community members advocating for its inclusion in the budget. The estimated cost for the baby box and installation was discussed, ranging from $20,000 to $25,000, with potential grant funding available to offset expenses. City staff and council members deliberated on integrating the baby box into the design of a new fire station, considering ongoing monitoring costs and policy development for its operation. Additionally, the meeting covered IT infrastructure upgrades, including security camera replacements and a cloud migration for asset management software, as well as discussions on parking enforcement technology with a proposed $70,000 budget for license plate recognition software. The fire department presented budget highlights, including new apparatus orders, staffing increases funded by a levy, and equipment upgrades. Parks and recreation budget discussions included maintenance challenges, master planning for future projects, and potential funding for a recreation facility feasibility study with a proposed $20,000 allocation. The council also considered implementing a scholarship fund round-up option for program registrations. No formal votes were recorded during the session, but several action items and budget considerations were identified for future council decisions.