The Agenda with the Missoula County Commissioners

Have you considered what it takes to age in place? Infrastructure like handrails and ramps comes to mind, but what about a network of people with symbiotic relationships? That’s exactly what Missoula Aging Services' new Villages model creates: a grassroots network of vetted volunteers who offer their skills to others.

This week the commissioners spoke with Ria Overholt, community services director at Missoula Aging Services, about this innovative model that supports elderly residents and provides meaningful connection that goes both ways. 

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The Missoula Public Library and its rural branches are more than just places to check out books, and the proof is in the numbers. In 2025, 23,000 people attended programs at the main library and its six branches. More than 50,000 Missoula County residents have a library card, giving them access to traditional media and so much more.

This week, the commissioners spoke with Slaven Lee, director of the Missoula Public Library, about everything from the bookmobile to cooking classes and more.

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The Agenda is on a hiatus this month, so we’re inviting you to check out some of our most popular episodes in recent years. 

This is the next installment of “The Infamous Reserve Street,” which aired in January 2024 and features planning manager Aaron Wilson from the Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization. They discuss roundabouts, planning for growth and much more.

Plus, a draft of the Reserve Street Safety Action Plan he mentions is now available for final public review on engagemissoula.com.

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The Agenda is on a hiatus this month, so we’re inviting you to check out some of our most popular episodes in recent years. 

First up is “The Infamous Reserve Street,” which aired in January 2024 and features planning manager Aaron Wilson from the Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization. He discusses everything from the history of the Reserve Street area to crash data and future infrastructure planning efforts.

Plus, a draft of the Reserve Street Safety Action Plan he mentions is now available for final public review on engagemissoula.com.

This is...

Are you interested in hobby farming but don't know where to start? Maybe you know a kid in your life who wants to get into robotics or animal husbandry? Missoula County extension agents can help you get connected and grow your skills!

Extension agents represent the practical application of research at land grant universities, like Montana State. In Missoula County, we are fortunate to have four agents who specialize in 4-H, family consumer science, horticulture and agriculture.

This week, the commissioners spoke with Campbell Barrett, 4-H extension agent, and Natalie Sullivan, agriculture and livestock extension...

2026 is a federal election year, and thousands of voters will cast their ballots by mail or at polling places across Missoula County for both the June primary and November general election. It takes more than 600 people to run these elections, and you could be a part of the action as an election judge! 

This week, the commissioners spoke with Bradley Seaman, elections administrator, about what election judges do (no robe or gavel required) and how residents can get involved.

Click here to sign up to be an election judge!

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If you’ve lived in the Missoula Valley, you’re familiar with the inversion that often happens in the winter months. What’s actually happening during an inversion, and what do wood stoves have to do with it? 

This week, the commissioners spoke with Kerri Mueller, air quality specialist, and Elena Evans, environmental health manager at Missoula Public Health, about the history of air quality regulations and why clean air matters for all residents.

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Jordan Thompson, acting executive officer of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, recently joined the commissioners for a jam-packed episode on tribal government.

Jordan gives a history lesson on the formation of the Flathead Indian Reservation, a breakdown of land ownership and so much more. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at CSKT!

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Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Another year is almost at a close, which means another round of myth busting! This week all three commissioners take turns quizzing each other on local government myths about how tax dollars can be spent, jurisdictional authority, tax increment financing and more!

Heard a myth about county government? Submit it on missoulacountyvoice.com! 

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Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

The federal process for approving and recommending seasonal respiratory vaccines deviated from the typical schedule this year. That led to confusion about who is eligible for Covid vaccines and delayed shipping and distribution of the shots.

This week, Jeanna Miller and Sara Heineman from Missoula Public Health joined the commissioners to unpack how all of this happened and how the Immunization Clinic at MPH is here to help. They also discuss what they learned from the health department’s recent countywide vaccine access and barrier report. 

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Mountain Line is the Missoula Valley's zero-fare bus system that helps residents and visitors work, play and connect to their community. From electric buses to a new facility by the airport, Mountain Line is anything but stationary. This week the commissioners spoke with Jordan Hess, CEO & General Manager at Mountain Line, about how the bus system keeps Missoula rolling.

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Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Recently, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency published updated floodplain maps for Rock Creek and the Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers.

Missoula County Floodplain Administrator Matt Heimel joined the commissioners this week to discuss what homeowners need to know and the next steps in the adoption and regulation process. 

The preliminary maps will be presented to the Missoula County commissioners during their public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 6. See the agenda at missoula.co/bccmeetings.

Learn more at https://missoulacountyvoice.com/clark-fork-river-bitterroot-river-and-rock-creek-floodplain-mapping-update

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Big things are happening at the Missoula Montana Airport: the recent terminal expansion has given the airport an entirely new look, the runway was re-paved and airlines are offering more routes and destinations.

In the last year and a half, passenger traffic has broken records month after month. This week the commissioners sat down with Brian Ellestad, director of the airport, to discuss the details of running a busy regional airport.

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From artisans to restaurants to manufacturing, Missoula County is home to businesses of all shapes and sizes. The Missoula Economic Partnership exists to facilitate growth, collaboration and mutual understanding between the private and public sectors.

Christine Littig, business development director at MEP, joined the commissioners this week to discuss local business trends and how entrepreneurs are responding creatively to the economic landscape.

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Marshall Mountain Park sits between East Missoula and Bonner and is publicly owned by Missoula County. Many lifelong residents learned to ski there as kids, and the legacy of learning continues today. 

This week, the commissioners spoke with Jackson Lee, park manager, to review what’s new at Marshall Mountain Park since it was acquired by the county in spring 2024. They discuss new trails, planned improvements, forest health and Commissioner Slotnick’s nascent mountain biking career.

Learn about how Marshall came into public ownership in this episode from 2023.

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Youth and young adults transitioning from foster care or incarceration in Missoula County are at elevated risk of homelessness and continued involvement in the criminal justice system, according to the 2025 Just Home report.

The report is part of a larger initiative between the Missoula County Community Justice Department and Homeword to address the connection between housing instability and incarceration.

This week, the commissioners spoke with Karissa Trujillo, executive director of Homeword, and McKenzie Javorka, program evaluator at the University of Montana Rural Institute, about what the report revealed about marginalized populations in Missoula County and...

Front Step Community Land Trust (formerly the North Missoula Community Development Corporation) is tackling one of the largest issues facing residents: affordable housing.

This week, the commissioners spoke with Brittany Palmer, director of Front Step, to discuss what community land trusts do and how their work can help push back against the rapid economic changes facing small towns and cities.

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The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula is home to the largest intact World War II internment site in the United States. From 1941 to 1944, the U.S. Department of Justice managed two Alien Detention Center barracks at the Fort and imprisoned 1,200 Italian nationals and more than 1,100 Japanese Issei men.

The museum recently opened “Far from Home: An Internee Experience at Fort Missoula,” an immersive exhibit in a restored barracks building on the grounds of the Fort. This week, Commissioner Slotnick sat down with Matt Lautzenheiser, museum director, and Ron Wakimoto, board member of the Friends of the Historical Muse...

Andrew Hagemeier, director of Community and Economic Development, is back on the podcast this week to help bust myths about subdivisions, zoning and land use. Other topics include tax increment financing, the Wye Water System project and affordable housing. 

Be sure to check out the TIF and TEDD 101 episode for a primer on how tax increment financing works.

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The Montana Legislature, which meets every two years, recently wrapped up the 2025 session in Helena. So, what happened at the Capitol this year? How do these new laws impact residents and county operations? 

From property taxes to jury duty summons to economic development, there is a lot to cover! This week, the commissioners spoke with Chris Lounsbury, Chief Administrative Officer for Missoula County, for a review of what went down. 

Learn more and see what bills Missoula County weighed in on during this session at missoulacountyvoice.com.

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This week, the Agenda takes on true crime in Missoula County. Since its inception in 2019, the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case unit has solved seven cases of homicides or unidentified remains.

The commissioners spoke with Ryan Prather, captain of the Detective Division at the Missoula County Sheriff's Office. Captain Prather also coordinates the volunteer Search and Rescue and Cold Case divisions, who work tirelessly for all county residents.

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Do you know who to call if there’s a bat in your house? What if you’re concerned about the welfare of a pet in your neighborhood?

From sheltering strays and adopting out cats and dogs, Missoula Animal Services staff work to ensure the health and safety of animals in Missoula County. This week, the Missoula County Commissioners spoke with Holli Hargrove, manager of MAS, to talk about the exciting new remodel of the shelter and much more.

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From its roots as a county agency to leading cutting-edge educational programs, the Missoula Art Museum has grown a lot since its inception in 1975. This week, the commissioners sat down with Laura Millin who has been at the helm of the free contemporary art museum since 1990. As she prepares to retire this year, they look back on the history and unique character of this beloved nonprofit. 

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Montana currently has only one passenger train line: The Empire Builder, which runs along the Hi-Line in the northern part of the state. That wasn’t always the case – and the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is looking to reinstate a former southern route that would connect towns and cities to each other and neighboring states.

This week the commissioners were joined by Dan Bucks to discuss the status of expanding passenger train service, the potential economic benefits and much more. 

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Public Works Officer Shane Stack started working for the Montana Department of Transportation as a teenager and came to Missoula County in 2019. As Shane prepares to retire this summer, he reflected on the challenges facing public infrastructure, the ill-fated 2020 gas tax and how his department has gotten creative with funding solutions. 

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Transportation planner Aaron Wilson is back on The Agenda this week to talk about how the Missoula Metropolitan Planning Organization leverages federal funding for critical upgrades to roads and bridges. Aaron and the commissioners discuss traffic congestion, bypasses and how detailed planning gives Missoula an advantage during the federal grant process.

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Listen to Aaron's previous episodes:

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We probably know what comes to mind when you hear "health department." But there is much more to Missoula Public Health than infectious disease monitoring. From air quality to restaurant inspections to the WIC program, the work of MPH undoubtedly affects your life and your health.

This week the commissioners spoke with Jeanna Miller, Chief Health Officer at MPH, about how your city-county health department works to ensure healthy conditions for all residents.

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The Clark Fork and its headwaters represent a duality of incredible fish habitat and miles of former mines and industrial sites. More than 20 years after it began, the restoration of Ninemile Creek west of Missoula has delivered promising results, and not just for the trout.  

This week, the commissioners met with Paul Parson, Montana restoration director at Trout Unlimited, to talk mining history, environmental stewardship and how TU is facilitating the clean up former mine sites across the West. 

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This week the commissioners welcome Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis back to the podcast to talk about a topic that affects all city and county residents: housing. What role does local government play in addressing this complex and difficult issue? What is the City of Missoula doing right now to help more residents continue to call Missoula their home?  Tune in for a thoughtful discussion about current and future solutions.

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Thank you to Missoula's Community Media Resource for podcast recording support!

Every two years, the Montana Legislature meets for 90 days to pass bills and the statewide budget. Bills become laws and dictate policy on everything from taxes to healthcare access and more.

Starting in January, 100 representatives and 50 senators will meet in Helena to work together in committees and hearings to address issues that matter to all Montanans. This week, the commissioners spoke with Missoula Rep. Mark Thane about his predictions for the session, his insights on school funding and what types of tax relief are on the table.

This is a longer episode with lots of...

The commissioners recently approved the creation of a new targeted economic development district, at the site of an old gravel pit between Reserve St. and I-90. These districts, often referred to as TEDDs, use tax increment financing to invest in necessary improvements to infrastructure.

Have we lost you already? There’s a lot of confusion around what increment financing does or does not do. This week, the commissioners sat down with Andrew Hagemeier, director of Community and Economic Development, to get to the bottom of TEDDs and TIF.

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Missoula County residents are lucky to live in proximity to multiple rivers and creeks, but this also means increase risks of flooding. Missoula County is currently working with both state and federal agencies to update floodplain maps for the Clark Fork River, the Bitterroot River and Rock Creek. But what exactly is the floodplain, and why are updated maps needed? 

Recently, the Missoula County commissioners spoke with Matt Heimel, floodplain administrator for Missoula County, and Adriane Beck, director of the Missoula County Office of Emergency Management. Adriane and Matt answer these questions and help decode the many a...

"Selling Marshall Mountain could reduce property taxes." "Any town in the county can incorporate if they want to." "County residents subsidize the City of Missoula." Have you heard these statements before? Are they true or false? 

This week the commissioners spoke with Chris Lounsbury, chief administrative officer for Missoula County, to get to the bottom of these myths and others.

Have you heard a rumor about county government? Visit missoulacountyvoice.com to submit it and see if it's true!

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You’ve heard (and maybe even experienced) how difficult it is to find accessible and affordable childcare. While this is certainly a problem across the nation, what can be done right here in Montana, or even in Missoula County, to address this vital need?

This week, the commissioners sat down with Grace Decker, educator and coordinator for the Montana Advocates for Children, to discuss the importance of investing in early childhood services and what creative solutions are happening in our community and across the state.

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From programming to paint to pesticide disposal, Home ReSource has just about everything you may need to start or finish a project around your home. Last month, staff from Missoula Public Health and Home ReSource celebrated the opening of the much-anticipated household chemical disposal facility.  

This week, the commissioners spoke with director Kelli Hess about what constitutes household chemical waste, the benefits of buying second-hand building materials and much more. 

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You’ve heard the saying: plan for the worst and hope for the best. But when it comes to emergency planning, what does that actually mean? If a wildfire starts near your property, do you know where to look for information? What’s the difference between an evacuation warning and an evacuation order?

This week, the commissioners had a very timely conversation with Adriane Beck, director of the Office of Emergency Management, about how to talk to your household about your emergency plan, why you should sign up for Smart911 and much more.

 Links mentioned in th...

In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control awarded a $1.8 million grant to Partnership Health Center to set up a community health worker program in partnership with Missoula Public Health and All Nations Health Center. Since then, this team of seven has helped more than 500 clients. But what exactly does a community health worker do?

This week, the Missoula County Commissioners spoke with Eileen Lamble, a community health worker, and McKenzie Javorka, program evaluator from the University of Montana, about how this program helps marginalized individuals re-connect to healthcare services. 

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2024 marks the 50th anniversary of The Poverello Center, Missoula’s nonprofit homelessness shelter and advocacy organization. This week the Missoula County Commissioners spoke with Jill Bonny, director of the Pov, about the history, changing demographics and current challenges of serving individuals in need of housing, food and human connection.

Related episodes: "The Economic Impact of Homelessness in Missoula",  May 22, 2024.

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Homelessness has been at the center of local, regional and national debate in recent years, with tensions rising between residents, advocates, business owners and politicians. 

This week, local economist Bryce Ward joined the Missoula County commissioners to discuss the findings of his most recent report, “Economic Impact of Homelessness in Missoula.” In this episode, they answer questions like “how does Missoula’s homeless population compare to other communities in Montana?” and “what does homelessness look like in rural areas?” Bryce also addresses common myths about the demographics of homelessness, plus the surprising link between our social lives and our persona...

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 st...