Welcome to Missoula County Weekly . You’re receiving this because you signed up to receive e - notifications at missoulacounty . us . Missoula County Weekly will keep you informed and up to date on public meetings , county projects and more .       
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   Missoula County offices will be closed Monday , Jan . 15 , in honor of Martin Luther King Jr . Day
   Missoula County seeks applicants for 2024 rural grant projects
   Missoula County has opened the second round of Impact Grants and is continuing to accept Micro Grant applications to support community - driven projects that enhance the quality of life in rural areas of Missoula County . Individuals , nonprofit organizations , citizen groups , community councils , schools and special districts are encouraged to learn more and apply online . 2023 winners included the Potomac School District , which purchased a walk - in cooler , the Seeley Lake Lions Club , which hired lifeguards for the Double Arrow swimming pool , the Bonner - Milltown History Center , which transcribed oral history for archival preservation , and others .
   The Rural Grant Program was initiated by the Missoula County Commissioners in 2023 and includes two unique funding opportunities: Micro Grants , with awards between $100 to $500 , and Impact Grants , with awards from $500 to $4 , 000 . The awards are designed to support community projects within the county but outside Missoula city limits .
   Learn more and find application requirements .
   Missoula County Extension Office seeks volunteers for Master Gardener Program
   The Missoula County Extension Office is seeking residents to participate in the
   Master Gardener programin 2024 . The Master Gardener program trains volunteers to assist extension agents in providing research - based horticulture education to the public .
   The Master Gardener program is divided into two levels: foundation and advanced . Individuals accepted into the Master Gardener Extension program agree to volunteer a minimum of 50 hours within a year following the completion of training in exchange for 42 hours of horticultural training by Extension and local area professionals . Training for certification as a Master Gardener Extension Volunteer will be offered through the Montana State University Cooperative Extension office in Missoula beginning February 2024 .
   Activities in a volunteer program may include environmental gardening and composting demonstrations , plant clinics , newsletters , news articles , installation of our new demonstration gardens , civic or garden club presentations , children’s programs , and information booths at fairs and festivals . Enrollment costs $250 , which includes a Master Gardener textbook , one - year membership in the Montana Master Gardener Association and all other class materials .
   Classes will be held every Wednesday from 6 to 8 p . m . Feb . 27 through April 24 at the G . W . Marks Exploration Center located at 1075 South Ave W . Class topics include landscape design , turf management , organic gardening , basic entomology , weed identification and management , diseases and insect pests of ornamental plants and vegetables , and integrated pest management .   
   Contact MSU Extension Horticulturalist Sarah Holden at 406 - 544 - 6582 or
   [email protected]for more information .
   Visit the Plant Clinic for free advice on landscaping , gardening and more
   Are you planning to start a new garden this year or landscape your yard? Is your favorite house plant looking a bit sad?
   As a Missoula County resident , you can go the Plant Clinic , hosted by the Missoula County Department of Ecology and Extension , to get answers to your horticulture questions for both indoor and outdoor plants . Bring in your samples of bugs or plants , and staff can give you tips and solutions . They can also answer questions about landscaping , gardening and soils .   
   The Plant Clinic has printed information on plant identification , pests and diseases , weeds , landscape trees and shrubs , perennials , grasses and groundcovers , native plants , plant propagation and much more .   
   The Plant Clinic is free! The clinic is open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm , Monday through Friday and is located at the Gerald Marks Exploration Center and Rocky Mountain Gardens ( 1075 South Ave . West ) . You can call them at 406 - 258 - 4213 or visit
   missoulaeduplace . org/plant - clinic
    .
   Request for proposal: Missoula Public Library café
   The Missoula Public Library Board of Trustees seeks proposals for the operation of a coffee shop or café in the main library branch at 455 E . Main Street . The Missoula Public Library is known internationally for its innovative approach to promoting collaboration , engagement and accessibility with a building that highlights our unique landscape and Missoula’s cultural heritage .  
   The facility also houses Families First Learning Lab , MCAT , spectrUM Discovery Area and the UM Living Lab , a partnership based on the Scandinaviankulturhusetconcept of integrated community services and lifelong learning . In 2022 , Missoula Public Library was named “best new library of the year” by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions . Approximately 30 , 000 to 35 , 000 people visit the library each month , including tourists , individuals and groups that host events in the library’s meeting rooms . Click here to read the full RFP . Proposals will be accepted until Jan . 31 , 2024 .
   Mythbuster: ‘There’s no reason to license my dog . ’
   This is false .
   Dog licensing has been a requirement by law since 1896 , and there are many reasons why you should license your dog ( other than the $95 fine you could receive ) .
   1 . It’s your dog’s “ticket home . ” If your dog is lost , a license tag on your dog’s collar is a fast and easy way to reunite you and your dog . Microchips require a scanning device to read them . A license tag is easily visible for everyone .
   2 . It ensures your dog is vaccinated against rabies . When you license , you’re required to have your dog vaccinated for rabies . This keeps not only your dog safe but other pets in Missoula County safe , too .
   3 . It helps other pets in your community . Licensing is a primary source of income for Animal Control and helps staff reunite lost pets with their owners , feed lost cats and dogs , adopt strays and owner - surrendered animals to new homes , run a low income spay and neuter program , investigate animal cruelty and more .
   Learn more at
   missoulaanimalcontrol . com
    
   New podcast episode | Looking Back on 2023 with the Missoula County Commissioners
   This week the commissioners reviewed memorable projects from 2023 , including those that address homelessness , affordable housing , recreation opportunities and much more .  One project the commissioners are looking forward to are the community conversation meetings in rural communities .
   In 2023 , the commissioners and county staff visited West Riverside and Seeley Lake to hear about what residents love about where they live , and what they are concerned about . Learn more by listening to the most recent episode of “The Agenda” and stay tuned for more information on upcoming community conversations in your area in 2024! Tune in for a conversation that covers everything from property taxes to new parking lots to wildfire prep .  
   Listen online
    or wherever you get your podcasts .
    
   Department Spotlight: Communications 
   As we begin a new year , Missoula County’s Communications Division wants to remind you of the many ways you can stay up to date on what’s happening in county government . In addition to sharing info on social media , we:
   Publish this newsletter!
   Provide engagement opportunities on projects on
   Missoula County Voice
   Produce the
   County’s podcast , “The Agenda”
   Post flyers around the county about important news or events
   Host Community Conversation events in rural communities
   Send news releases to keep mediaand the public up to date
   Keep County employees engaged with an employee newsletter
   Communicate important updates to community councils and other local agencies and organizations
   Update the County’s
   events calendar
   Affectionately known as the Comms Squad™ to county staff , the Communications Division’s goals include ensuring residents feel up to date with what’s happening at the County and how County government works , and to help residents have a voice in County projects and decisions .  
   Missoula County seeks applicants for advisory boards , community councils
   Are you looking for ways to get involved in your community? Are you passionate about open lands and parks , or want to have a say in planning the 2024 Western Montana Fair?
   The Missoula County commissioners are seeking engaged community members to
   apply for open positionson Missoula County advisory boards and committees . These boards and committees provide information and guidance to the Missoula Board of County Commissioners regarding important decisions like elections , zoning , and more . The commissioners appoint board members following review of applications .
   The following boards have vacancies*:
   Aquatic Invasive Species District
   : one two - year term that expires Dec . 31 , 2025 and two alternate positions .
   Big Flat Irrigation District:one three - year term that expires May 31 , 2026 .
   East Missoula Rural Fire District
   : Remainder of one term that expires May 31 , 2024 .
   Evaro/Finley - O’Keefe Community Council:three three - year terms , one expiring May 31 , 2024 , and two expiring May 31 , 2026 .
   Fair Event Committee
   : remainder of one three - year term that expires Sept . 30 , 2024 .
   Missoula Irrigation District
   : two terms that expire May 31 , 2026 .
   Open Lands Citizen Advisory Committee
   : Two alternate positions .
   Planning and Zoning Commission
   : remainder of one three - year term that expires Dec . 31 , 2024 .
   Seeley Lake Community Council:remainder of one three - year term expiring May 31 , 2025 , and one three - year alternate term expiring May 31 , 2024 .
   Weed Control Board
   : one two - year term that expires Dec . 31 , 2025 and two alternate positions .
   West Valley Community Council:remainder of two three - year terms expiring May 31 , 2025 , and May 31 , 2026 .
   Zoning Board of Adjustment
   : three alternate member two - year terms running through Dec . 31 , 2023 , and Dec . 31 , 2024 .
   *Please note: Several of these openings are to fill the remainder of vacant terms or for terms that have been vacant for a while , so the term length and expiration dates may not match .
   Engage with us on
   Missoula County Voice
   !
        
   Don’t miss these opportunities to get involved with county government:
   Let us know your thoughts or questions on updates to the Missoula County Floodplain Regulationsbefore Feb . 22
   Follow the Wye Infrastructure Plan projectand stay up to date on how Missoula County could address infrastructure deficiencies in the Wye area , such as roads , water , wastewater , broadband and more
   Receive a $500 rebate toward a new water heater
    
   Looking for a job with great benefits? Missoula County is hiring!
      
   Benefits include health , dental and vision insurance; paid parental leave and vacation , sick and holiday leave; free and confidential counseling services through an Employee Assistance Program; and enrollment in the Public Employees’ Retirement System . The following departments are hiring:        
   9 - 1 - 1 Dispatch 
   Animal Control
   Clerk of District Court
   County Attorney’s Office
   Community Justice Department
   Financial Services
   Justice Court
   Lands and Communities
   Missoula Public Health
   Missoula Public Library
   Historical Museum at Fort Missoula
   Partnership Health Center
   Public Works
   Sheriff’s Office and Detention Center
   Technology
   See the full list
    
   job openingsat Missoula County and apply today!  
   Have you ever wondered , ‘hey , what is local government doing about…?’
   Check out “What is Missoula County doing about…?”to see what county government is doing to address the most pressing issues facing residents . Topics include affordable housing , homelessness , public infrastructure and more .  
   Missoula County in the News:
   Blue Heron Place: New housing in Missoula for formerly homeless residents
    , Missoulian
    
   Guest view: Smurfit Stone: A year of progress and the road ahead
    , Missoulian
   Selected Events this Week
   Gallop Toward the Sun: An Evening with Peter Stark and Chris LaTray
    
   6:30 p . m . , Wednesday , Jan . 10 , Missoula Public Library
   Cooking with Induction Stoves
    
   5:30 to 7 p . m . , Thursday , Jan . 11 , G . W . Marks Exploration Center ( Honeyberry Kitchen )
   American Red Cross Blood Drive
    
   10 a . m . to 3 p . m . , Tuesday , Jan . 16 , Missoula County Fairgrounds ( Floriculture Building )
   Find more events this week on the 
   County’s Event Calendar
   !  
   What are the commissioners up to?
   Below is a summary of recent public meetings , where the commissioners . . .
   Approved the purchase of a used pickup truck for the Public Works department for $17 , 790 . 50 . The truck was listed for sale on the state surplus site and was previously used by the Big Fork fire department . Recently Public Works has been able to purchase used vehicles at well below market price and save money on equipment .
   Confirmed the Dec . 5 , 2023 , start date for the building lease between the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium and the County . The Butterfly House recently moved into the G . W . Marks Exploration Center at the Fairgrounds .
   Sent a letter encouraging Blackfoot Communications apply for a ConnectMT grant to bring broadband internet to the Seeley Lake , Swan Valley and Condon communities to provide reliable internet connectivity and infrastructure .
   Read the full letter .
   Keep up with the commissioners yourself by
   attending a public meeting . The commissioners’ meetings for the upcoming week are listed below ,
   with links to agendas and Microsoft Teams links: 
   Tuesday , Jan . 9
   • 10 a . m . :
   Commissioners Administrative Meeting
   Wednesday , Jan . 10
   • 10 a . m . :
   Chief Officers Update
   Thursday , Jan . 11
   • 8 a . m . :
   Chief Administrative Officer Update
   • 2 p . m . :
   Commissioner ' s Public Meeting
   Monday , Jan . 15
    .
        No meetings – offices closed
   Please note that agendas for department and administrative meetings are published two business days before the meeting , and public meeting agendas are published the Friday before the meeting . Administrative and public meeting video recordings are available on the
   Missoula County YouTube page
    , and MCAT plays the public meetings live on Spectrum Channel 190 .
   Email
   [email protected]or call 406 - 258 - 4877 if you have any questions or comments on an upcoming meeting .  
   

Press release information :

Direct link to press release: Click here .

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