Helena Commission Revisits $53,326 Federal Security Grant

Helena City Commissioner Melinda Reed has stated she does not support accepting a $53,326 Department of Homeland Security grant because the contract terms remain unclear. The city commission scheduled the item for a vote at its 6 p.m. meeting on Monday, November 9, at the City-County Building.

The grant funds the purchase of new security cameras and equipment upgrades for the City-County Building and the Law and Justice Center. City documents indicate the money comes from Montana Disaster and Emergency Services.

The commission first reviewed the grant in September. At that time, members voted to table the measure following a long period of public comment. Residents expressed concerns about the language and terms, a reaction fueled by a turbulent summer of immigration detainments and a Helena-based holding center.

During an October 28 meeting, City Manager Alana Lake reported that the grant’s terms and conditions have not changed since September. The city attorney’s office also provided an analysis listing other municipalities that accepted similar federal funds. Those entities include Billings, which accepted $80,000, and Missoula County, which accepted $15,000. Beaverhead County and Lewis and Clark County also accepted grants of $32,000 and $30,000, respectively.

Bozeman Mayor Joey Morrison told the Montana Free Press that his city voted to table its $80,000 award after receiving community questions.

City Attorney Rebecca Dockter explained in September that accepting the grant would not require the city to cooperate with DHS and immigration officials. However, she noted that a section of the agreement regarding presidential executive orders does apply to the recipients. Reed cited this specific language as the primary source of her hesitation.

“It was pretty clear that we didn’t understand the terms, nor would we be able to comply with them as written, so I do not support,” Reed said during the October meeting. She added that she will consider all new information presented at the Monday meeting before casting a vote.

Separately, Lewis and Clark County reported 34,643 ballots cast in the recent general elections. That figure represents a turnout of approximately 64% among 54,178 registered voters, a drop from the 79.5% turnout recorded in 2024.