Billings City Council Work Session - September 21, 2026

The Billings City Council Work Session held on September 21, 2026, covered several key topics including a federal grant award for South Park Pool amenities, updates on the crisis response unit funded by marijuana tax and a new SAMA grant, and the 2027-2031 Transportation Improvement Plan with adjustments to federal transit funding impacting capital projects. A significant portion of the meeting focused on animal sheltering services, where two proposals were reviewed: one from Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter with reduced services to meet budget, and another from K9 Hope Brokers exceeding the budget. The council discussed options including limited sheltering services requiring code amendments, full shelter services with increased staffing and costs, and fee-for-service models. They agreed to form a small committee to develop a clear recommendation within 30 days. Additionally, the council debated policies on public email transparency and posting, emphasizing legal risks and the need for technology solutions to manage public records requests. No formal votes were recorded, but consensus was reached on committee formation and withdrawing the month-to-month shelter contract offer. The meeting also included public comments and updates on legislative meetings and community safety concerns.