![Missoula Current](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/06/attachment-mc-sq-logo-profile.jpg?w=300&q=75)
Missoula Current
![Missoula Current](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/06/attachment-mc-sq-logo-profile.jpg?w=300&q=75)
![County adopts 5.4% budget increase: cites inflation, Legislature](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2020/10/transportation-traffic.jpg?w=980&q=75)
County adopts 5.4% budget increase: cites inflation, Legislature
County officials said local residents would have seen a tax decrease this year if not for the increased value of homes. The Legislature's failure to lower the residential tax rate from 1.35% to .94%, as recommended by DOR, also played a role.
![Missoula County joins others in seeking opinion on state mills](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2021/11/housing-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Missoula County joins others in seeking opinion on state mills
Missoula County on Tuesday placed its official support behind an effort lead by Beaverhead County that's challenging the state's “consistent” levying of certain mills despite a provision in Montana law that requires a reduction in mills when taxable values increase.
![The big fizzle: 2023 fire season around Missoula winding down](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/08/attachment-Sunset-Big-Knife-Fire-smoke-.jpg?w=980&q=75)
The big fizzle: 2023 fire season around Missoula winding down
While one should never say never, fire officials are feeling optimistic that the end of the 2023 fire season may be at hand.
![MFD snuffs fire in vacant, boarded structure occupied by homeless](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2018/11/Fire-Department.jpg?w=980&q=75)
MFD snuffs fire in vacant, boarded structure occupied by homeless
The Missoula Fire Department extinguished a structure fire in a shuttered house frequented by the homeless on Saturday afternoon just before 1 p.m.
![Council member pushes for homeless camps in city neighborhoods](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/08/attachment-Housing.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Council member pushes for homeless camps in city neighborhoods
Opening several authorized camp sites for the homeless in city parks and vacant lots in each of Missoula's six voting wards would provide some homeless residents a “place to exist,” one City Council member argued on Wednesday.
![City’s workforce housing program could grow housing trust fund](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2017/08/construction-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
City’s workforce housing program could grow housing trust fund
A new tool in state law that defines workforce housing as infrastructure has city leaders eager to implement a pilot program that will direct tax increment toward “bricks and mortar” projects while helping grow the city's Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
![County notches agreement with Five Valleys for Marshall Mountain property](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2022/12/attachment-Marshall-Mountain.jpg?w=980&q=75)
County notches agreement with Five Valleys for Marshall Mountain property
An effort to purchase 480 acres on Marshall Mountain took another step forward on Tuesday when Missoula County approved an option agreement with Five Valleys Land Trust.
![Amid controversy, City Council approves Johnson Street shelter contract](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2023/07/attachment-homeless1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Amid controversy, City Council approves Johnson Street shelter contract
After a second week of debate and accusations of a poorly planned process, the Missoula City Council on Wednesday voted 6-3 to approve the operational contract to run the Johnson Street shelter for a full year.
![Missoulians united in opposition to NorthWestern plan, 28% rate increase](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2019/03/Climate-March.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Missoulians united in opposition to NorthWestern plan, 28% rate increase
Invoking a recent Montana climate court case, many western Montana residents are calling for NorthWestern Energy to redo its energy management proposal for the next 20 years.
![Gun group plans to challenge gun ban on Missoula buses](http://townsquare.media/site/1098/files/2019/02/MountainLine-scaled.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Gun group plans to challenge gun ban on Missoula buses
The Montana Shooting Sports Association plans on suing Mountain Line and maybe the City of Missoula after Oct. 1 for prohibiting guns on the bus, according to an email that association president Gary Marbut sent to association members on Saturday.