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In this section we re-visit last week's meeting, providing:
- an AI summary (YouTube transcript analyzed by Claude's Sonnet 4)
- links to the Community 7 video
- draft minutes produced by city staff (if available).
We'll revise and edit when necessary to avoid inaccuracies, which are sure to happen on occasion. And, considering the difficulty Council has had with audio feeds, it's likely that some comments or segments of the meeting will be missed in the video transcript.
June 23, 2025 - Business Meeting Overview
The Council addressed a full agenda including budget matters, development approvals, wastewater rates, and significant discussions about government structure reforms. The meeting featured contentious debates over budget processes, with Council ultimately approving the FY26 preliminary budget and establishing new oversight mechanisms, while rejecting a proposal to restructure city government.
Actions Taken and Votes
Consent Agenda Items:
- Approved Amend Park Recreation Campus contract amendment (Neese opposed)
- Approved preliminary plat subdivisions (Aspenlieder recused)
- Approved missing sidewalk program improvements
Public Hearings:
- Approved Special Review 1000 for Jay's Pub and Grill bar/casino at Shiloh Crossing (Neese opposed)
- Approved Zone Change 1066 at 844 Grand Avenue (unanimous)
- Approved FY26/FY27 wastewater retail rates (Neese and Cole opposed)
- Approved Tourism Business Improvement District assessments increasing to $4 per room night (unanimous)
- Approved Business Improvement District 1 assessments (unanimous)
- Approved FY25 budget amendments, including $20 million for Amend Recreation Campus (Neese opposed South TIF item)
FY26 Budget with Amendments:
- Approved preliminary budget at $436 million total funding, $417 million expenses
- Approved Rupsis Amendment 1: $10,000 for housing program study (6-5 vote)
- Approved Rupsis Amendment 2: $5,000 for boards and commissions (10-1, Neese opposed)
- Approved Kennedy Amendment 1: Shift $500,000 from police overtime to salaries (Rupsis opposed)
- Approved Kennedy Amendment 2: Eliminate car allowances (7-4 vote)
- Approved Owen Amendments: Enhanced budget reporting and zero-based budgeting exercise
- Approved Budget analyst position funded at $100,000
- Final budget approval 9-2 (Rupsis and Neese opposed)
Council Initiatives:
- Approved South Billings Boulevard cleanup for July work session (Shaw opposed)
- Failed Mayor-council structural enhancement initiative (3-8 vote)
- Approved Council size reduction initiative for July work session (7-4 vote)
Key Quotes from Councilmembers
Mayor Cole on Commissioner John Ostlund passing: "John was a dedicated public servant. He devoted his life to faithfully serving the people of Yellowstone County. He was a man of principles that were typically straightforward and consistent."
Councilman Aspenlieder on budget processes: "We are not equipped as a body to even work efficiently with ourselves. And I think we have to be open to admitting that. So if we're going to do it without it turning into an absolute goat rodeo we're going to need somebody to keep us on track."
Councilman Kennedy on police staffing: "We want to tell people we're making sure there's enough money allocated to go with the 177 [police officers]. If you think it's a political stunt then so be it. But it's something I think this council better get behind and start saying we do want those officers on the street."
Councilman Rupsis on government restructuring timeline: "I cannot believe that this body would say in three weeks we need to restructure, we need to come up with a language restructuring our entire form of government, with no community engagement."
Meeting Statistics
- Duration: Approximately 4 hours (5:30 PM to ~9:30 PM based on transcript timestamps)
- Most vocal participants: Councilman Aspenlieder and Councilman Kennedy dominated much of the budget discussion, with extensive back-and-forth on police funding and wastewater rates
- Attendance: Full council present, with Mayor Cole presiding
Notable and Relevant Information
Budget Process Changes: The Council established new oversight mechanisms including monthly budget reporting to the Budget and Finance Committee and directed a zero-based budgeting exercise for FY27, signaling increased scrutiny of spending.
Government Structure Debate: A significant portion of the meeting involved failed attempts to have voters decide on a restructure of city government, with concerns raised about rushed timelines and lack of public engagement. However, a proposal to reduce council size from 11 to 7 members advanced for further discussion.
Public Safety Priorities: The Council reinforced its commitment to police staffing by eliminating vacancy savings assumptions and directing funds toward achieving the target of 177 officers.
Wastewater Rate Controversy: Tensions emerged with refineries over rate-setting processes, with representatives requesting delays while negotiations continue. The Council proceeded with residential rates while deferring wholesale rates.
Personnel Decisions:
- Announced permanent appointment of Matt Hoppel as Fire Chief
- Approved hiring a budget analyst position after previous elimination
- Eliminated car allowances for city directors effective FY26
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