The Agenda with the Missoula County Commissioners

Rivers are thawing, the call of the western meadowlark is floating through air, and other signs of spring are emerging in Missoula County. Maybe you’re inspired to pick up some plants for your patio, start an herb garden or even raise some livestock on your property. But where do you begin? The Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension can help you with all of this and more. From their new headquarters at the G.W. Marks Exploration Center, down to the Lolo Mosquito District and up to the Clearwater Watercraft Inspection site, Ecology and Extension staff are experts in land resources and management. This week the commissioners sat down with Bryce Christiaens, self-described plant nerd and director of this department, to hear about what programs are available to residents. If you’re looking for more information on how the G.W. Marks Exploration Center came to be, click here to listen to this episode from 2022. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

The Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, located minutes from downtown Missoula, is part of the Lolo National Forest. Many know the Rattlesnake as Missoula’s backyard, offering ample outdoor recreation opportunities and access to the adjoining wilderness area. But did you know that in the 1930s there were homes, mines, a school and telephone lines scattered through the forest? This week, the commissioners were joined by Andy Kulla, the former Recreation Area and Wilderness Manager for the Rattlesnake. Andy details how the grassroots efforts to preserve the area from development led to its designation by Congress in 1980. They also discuss how changes in the logging industry, wildfire research and recreation trends influence public land management. Related links: Lolo National Forest Management Plan Revision Rattlesnake National Recreation Area and Wilderness Act of 1980 Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Andrea Davis was elected as the 52nd Mayor of the City of Missoula in Nov. 2023 and in her first few months of office she has been addressing the hot topics of housing, homelessness, public meetings and other issues. This week the Missoula County Commissioners caught up with Mayor Davis to discuss what has surprised her since taking office, how the city and county governments collaborate for their constituents and so much more. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

When disasters like wildfires, floods and hazardous waste spills strike, Missoula County is ready to respond, thanks to the work of the Office of Emergency Management and the Western Montana Incident Management Team. On this week's podcast, the commissioners sit down with Deputy Disaster and Emergency Services Coordinators Nick Holloway and Ken Parks to talk about their recent deployment to help with recovery efforts in wildfire-ravaged Lahaina, Maui. They also discuss the importance of being prepared for emergencies on both the personal and government levels, and how the inter-state partnerships help strengthen communities across the country following disasters. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Domestic violence, also often referred to as intimate partner violence, can be difficult to address and has lasting effects on individuals, families and communities. Missoula County’s Just Response program, made up of mental and medical health professionals, law enforcement, advocacy groups, child protection and criminal justice organizations, works to respond to DV cases and increase overall community safety. The commissioners recently sat down with Erin Shreder, Just Response coordinator, to discuss the tangible results of this inter-agency collective, the upstream causes of domestic violence and more. This episode deals with difficult topics like relationship and domestic violence. The Crime Victim Advocate Division of Missoula County is here to help you. Please call 406-258-3830 or visit their office at 317 Woody Street. YWCA Missoula is another resource and their crisis line is 1-800-483-7858. Related links and resources: Strangulation ProtocolFirst Step Resource CenterAll Nations Health CenterUniversity of Montana Student Advocacy Resource Center Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

The Agenda's foray into transportation issues continues this week with Shane Stack, director of Missoula County Public Works, and Erik Dickson, county engineer. With the recent closure of Maclay Bridge in Target Range, residents have a lot of questions about how we got here. The commissioners, Shane and Erik tackle those questions and much more in this episode. Be sure to follow this project on Missoula County Voice for more updates and information. This episode has a lot of acronyms and engineering terms, so here's a guide for you, in alphabetical order: BIP:Categorical exclusion, also called a CE or Cat Ex: Creosote: EA: Environmental Impact Statement (EIS): FHWA: FONSI document: HDR:Load rating: Local option gas tax: MDT: NEPA: Click here for the full glossary. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

This week the Missoula County Commissioners continue their discussion with transportation planner Aaron Wilson. They discuss the concept of 15 minute cities and how creating diverse, accessible transportation choices can reduce traffic congestion. Aaron also gives updates on the safety studies and plans for accommodating growth in areas like Brooks Street in Missoula and Highway 200 in East Missoula. Don’t miss part two of this series on planning, traffic and transportation! Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

In the latest episode of The Agenda, we answer common questions about everyone's favorite street in Missoula (bonus points if you listen while stuck in traffic on Reserve!) Aaron Wilson, transportation planning manager from the Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization, joined the county commissioners this week to answer questions like: Is Reserve Street really home to the most dangerous intersections in Missoula? Can infrastructure changes actually decrease traffic? In this episode, they discuss the evolution of Reserve Street, problems with pedestrian safety, and the role of the Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in coordinating transportation efforts across jurisdictions. Don’t miss part one of this two-part series on planning, traffic and transportation. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

This week the commissioners reviewed memorable projects from 2023, including those that address homelessness, affordable housing, recreation opportunities and much more. Tune in for a conversation that covers everything from property taxes to new parking lots to wildfire prep. Do you have something you'd like the commissioners to discuss in 2024? Email communications@missoulacounty.us! Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

The holiday season means more travel and celebration, but it also means an increased risk of impaired driving. Do you have a plan for a sober ride home? This week the commissioners spoke with Justice of the Peace Landee Holloway and Health Specialist Steve Schmidt about recent impaired driving trends in Missoula County and what resources are available to residents. Substance Abuse Treatment ResourcesDrive Safe MissoulaR.O.A.D CourtNo Joke Theatre Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Tax bills have landed in mailboxes and many residents are frustrated, confused and concerned. Why are property taxes so high? How did we get here? The commissioners discuss the topic of the tax system in Montana and what potential solutions could look like in this week’s episode of The Agenda. Related links: What Do My Taxes Pay For?tax bill onlineThe Re-Appraisal Process Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Did you know the Missoula County Sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer, as well as the coroner, and oversees the office responsible for serving civil paperwork? Did you also know that Sheriff Jeremiah Petersen was on the 1995 Montana Grizzlies national championship football team? This week, the commissioners spoke with Sheriff Petersen about everything from jury summons to predictions for the Cat-Griz game and how his department is addressing the need for increased deputy patrol in rural areas. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Local government is a large, busy organization. Who makes sure all payments the County makes are to the right vendors and are for legitimate county expenses? This week, the commissioners talked with Missoula County Auditor Dave Wall about safeguarding taxpayer dollars, fraud detection and the importance of internal financial controls. Related links: County claims listCounty policies Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

New name, same great local government podcast. We’ve rebranded to The Agenda! With 67 episodes and more than 7,000 downloads since it launched in 2021, the commissioners' podcast was due for a refresh. If you’re already subscribed, there’s no change to how you listen. This week, Commissioners Slotnick and Strohmaier sat down with Missoula County Housing Specialist Garrick Harmel to talk about what local government can do to reduce displacement while incentivizing the construction of affordable places to live. Related links: Housing Innovation FundHousing Action Plan: Breaking Ground Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

“County government is funded mostly by taxpayer money.” “If Missoula County didn’t spend any more money next year, taxes would stop going up.” Have you heard this before? Are these statements true or false? This week the commissioners spoke with Chris Lounsbury, chief administrative officer for Missoula County, about budgeting, taxing and government spending. Tune in to this week’s episode for some myth-busting with a side of tax policy. Related links: FY 2024 BudgetCommissioner's Public Meetingbudgets from previous years Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Marshall Mountain, located between East Missoula and Bonner, has been a haven for locals to enjoy the outdoors since the early 20th century. Now, there’s an opportunity to secure the base area of the former ski hill and surrounding areas for public ownership. But this potential park has a lot of moving parts: three different pieces of land with separate private owners, two governments, two public processes for open space bond funding, management considerations and more. This week, the commissioners talked to Chet Crowser, Chief Lands & Communities Officer for Missoula County, and Donna Gaukler, Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Missoula, about the scope of this project and what’s next for this beloved area. Related links: Marshall Mountain ParkOpen Space Bond Friends of Marshall Mountain Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

The Western Montana Fair is more than just rides and fried food. The Missoula County Fairgrounds is one of the few public gathering places that unites people from all backgrounds every summer. This week, the commissioners spoke to Jerry Marks, the county extension agent, and Billie Ayers, events and operations manager at the fairgrounds, about the history of this hallmark event and what’s in store for the 2023 Western Montana Fair. Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Seeley Lake is an unincorporated town with a population of about 1,600 in the northern part of Missoula County. Located between the Mission and Swan mountain ranges and dotted with narrow, glacial lakes, the Seeley area is synonymous with recreation and beautiful landscapes. Thousands of people visit Seeley Lake each summer, but what’s it like to be a year-round resident, or own a business there? This week, the commissioners sat down with Claire Muller, director of the Seeley Lake Community Foundation, to talk about the unique challenges and misconceptions about this rural community. Related links: Seeley Lake Community FoundationCommunity Council Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Whether you're a seasoned floater or you've never sat in an inner tube, the River Ambassadors are here to help! Each summer, these friendly faces help recreators of all kinds navigate access points along the Clark Fork, Blackfoot and Bitterroot rivers. Now in its third summer, the river ambassador program is the result of collaboration between Missoula County, City of Missoula, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Clark Fork Coalition. Tune in to hear more about this successful program and tips for a great day on the water. Related links: Clark Fork Coalition - River Ambassadors River Ambassadors on InstagramSha-Ron Parking Access ProjectClark Fork River MapInteractive Map of Fishing Access Points Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

One of Missoula County's major initiatives is to address systemic issues of inequity in our community. But what does that really mean, and what does it look like? This week, the commissioners sat down with Elisha Buchholz (equity coordinator at Missoula County), Rozlyn Haley (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion fellow at Missoula County) and Rajiem Seabrook (director of equity and impact at Empower Montana) for an update on justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) efforts. Related links JEDI Advisory Board2021 JEDI ResolutionJustice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!