Politics & Government

Missoula County Government: Missoula County Community And Planning Services Publishes Annual Report

Highlights from the report include:

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Press Release Desk, News Partner
(Missoula County Government)

Press release from the Missoula County Government:

03/02/2022 3:24 PM

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    Highlights from the report include: 

    Find out what's happening in Missoulafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

    • During the last 18 months, the Grants and Community Programs staff acquired more than $5.4 million in grant funds on behalf of Missoula County, and 50,535 people received services supported by county funding during the last fiscal year.

       

    • The Parks, Trails and Open Lands program has a far reach in the County: the team manages 362 acres of land, 89 parks and maintains 32 trails, and they are working on identifying priorities and revising program processes to address community recreation and conservation needs.

       

  • The climate action team of two is working to build the community’s resilience to climate change. The team and local partners have identified 77 resilience strategies, and nearly 70% of those strategies are already underway or in planning stages.

     

  • As the demand for housing in the County continues to increase, the planning department kept busy, with development projects entering the pre-application phase breaking records with a total of 68 projects during the year, compared to 14 to 33 annually the past five years.

     

  • Zoning and growth have been at the forefront of the planning department’s efforts as they developed a zoning code concurrent to the Sx w tpqyen (S-wh-tip-KAYN) Neighborhoods Master Plan and emersed themselves in community outreach and engagement, receiving national attention for their ability to continue their work in a virtual format.
    • Planning staff continue this level of engagement as they work to update the entire zoning code for the Missoula urban area outside city limits for the first time since 1976 to reflect the community’s current needs and values. Floodplain staff are finalizing a five-year Community Rating System audit to help maintain county credibility and reduce flood insurance premiums for all citizens. 

    At the heart of all the department’s efforts, the administrative team is busy supporting staff members, volunteer boards and committees, and managing a complete office remodel. 

    “The interesting stories associated with work we do and positive impacts it has on people’s lives is a testament to our incredible staff and their commitment to public service,” Crowser said. 

    Community and Planning Services can be reached at 406-258-4657, caps@missoulacounty.us or by visiting them at the downtown office on 127 E. Main St. The department strives to maintain and enhance a quality of life that makes Missoula County an extraordinary place to live, work and visit. They collaborate with residents, businesses and nonprofits, and tribal and other government agencies to help direct the future of Missoula County and our communities. 

    For more information or questions about the design and implementation of the interactive StoryMap design, email Office Manager Laurie Hire at lhire@missoulacounty.us. 

    To schedule an interview with Crowser, please email him at ccrowser@missoulacounty.us.   

     

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    This press release was produced by the Missoula County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.

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