8/17/26 Kalispell City Council Session

The City of Kalispell, Montana City Council held a session on August 17, 2026, primarily focused on budget approvals and a significant discussion regarding the procurement and implementation of a license plate reader (LPR) system for parking enforcement. The council reviewed multiple budget resolutions including those for business improvement districts, storm sewer maintenance, urban forestry, street lighting, solid waste, and tourism districts. A major agenda item was the proposed $70,000 budget allocation for LPR hardware and software to replace traditional parking enforcement methods. This proposal sparked extensive public comment, with many residents expressing strong opposition citing privacy concerns, Fourth Amendment rights, and potential misuse of surveillance data. Council members debated the issue, with a motion to remove the LPR funding from the budget passing, effectively delaying procurement of the system. The council emphasized the need for a formal policy on data use and retention before any purchase and indicated future work sessions to explore alternative parking enforcement solutions. Additionally, the council approved the overall city budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, including mill levies and appropriations for various city services and improvement districts. A change order for the city airport taxiway project was also authorized to maintain contractor progress within the existing budget.