🌱 Patch AM: Could your rural community snag part of this $90,000 recreation fund?

Good morning Missoula! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Could your rural community snag part of this $90,000 recreation fund?
• How a new utility district could reshape housing near Missoula
• How new fire impact fees could change building costs around Missoula

Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: A stray afternoon t-shower, with a high of 88 and low of 50 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 91, low: 51.
• Thursday: Sunny and toasty conditions, with a high of 93 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Applications open for grants to improve rural recreation (helenair.com) — Missoula County Parks, Trails and Recreation is offering $90,000 in 2027 grants for projects on public lands in Missoula County outside Missoula city limits, with up to $30,000 per award. Local nonprofits, schools, and community groups must provide a 25% match and schedule a required virtual consultation before applying online by Friday, Oct. 30.
   

2. West Riverside developer to form water, sewer district (missoulacurrent.com) — Missoula County commissioners have approved a new water and sewer district for the West Riverside/Bonner area, clearing a key hurdle for a planned attainable-housing development. The project's backers say the centralized system could eventually serve nearby residents on both sides of the Blackfoot River, replacing scattered septic systems, though some neighbors still worry about unknown future impacts.
   

3. Missoula County adopts impact fees for Missoula Rural Fire (missoulacurrent.com) — Missoula County has approved new impact fees for the Missoula Rural Fire District, adding one-time charges on new homes and commercial projects to help pay for stations, vehicles, and growth-related infrastructure. Supporters say it lets growth fund itself, while critics warn the added costs will push housing prices higher, especially in already expensive areas around Missoula and Lolo.
   

4. Fisheries Management Plan public meeting set for August 26 in Missoula (mt.gov) — Missoula anglers and river users can weigh in soon on Montana's 2027–2030 Statewide Fisheries Management Plan at a public meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 6:30 p.m., at FWP's Spurgin Road office. The state is gathering feedback on long-term goals, conservation strategies, and fishing priorities, with online comments open through mid-September.
   

5. Missoula City Council passes FY 2027 budget (nbcmontana.com) — Missoula's new FY 2027 city budget is raising overall property taxes 3.8%, but primary homeowners will see a small tax decrease while second homes and short-term rentals face more than double the bill. City leaders say the increase keeps pace with inflation, while cost-cutting moves include leaving some positions vacant and trimming fire and IT spending.
   

📸 Around Missoula

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday August 18
• Bonner School Board Meeting
  Bonner 7-8 Bonner, MT 59823
  6:00 pm
Wednesday August 19
• Gavin DeGraw →
  KettleHouse Amphitheater, 605 Cold Smoke Ave, Bonner
  6:30 pm
Thursday August 20
• Orchard Homes Farmers Market →
  Orchard Homes Country Life Club, 2537 S 3rd St W, Missoula
  4:30 pm
Sunday August 23
• Philipsburg Summer Market on Broadway at Pocket Park →
  Moon River Ranch, 45 Ln, Clinton
  11:00 am
Monday August 24
• Travelers' Rest Art Cart →
  Travelers' Rest State Park, 6717 US-12, Lolo
  1:00 pm
• Open House/Move-in Night - Kinder & 6th Only
  Target Range Elementary Missoula, MT 59804
  5:00 pm
• Open House/Move-in Night - 1st-5th & 7th-8th
  Target Range Elementary Missoula, MT 59804
  6:00 pm
Wednesday August 26
• 1st day of Volleyball practice!
  Bonner 7-8 Bonner, MT 59823
• Welcome Back - 1st Day of the 26-27 School Year
  Bonner 7-8 Bonner, MT 59823
• Volleyball Practice
  Bonner 7-8 Bonner, MT 59823
  3:30 pm
Sunday August 30
• Bonnie Raitt →
  KettleHouse Amphitheater, 605 Cold Smoke Ave, Bonner
  7:00 pm
Monday September 7
• Team Trivia Monday Nights at KT's Hayloft Saloon →
  KT's Hayloft Saloon, 11885 US-93, Lolo
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Does anyone recognize this beautiful Great Pyrenees?
  He is running around the lower miller creek area, near fire station 5. He seemed very sweet but skittish and wouldn't let anyone get close enough to… (Nextdoor Miller Creek)
• Hi friends!
  I word wondering if anyone knew any outdoor area where I could have a few family and friends to reconfirm my wedding vows with my wife? We plan to do… (Nextdoor Franklin)

• Arby's Restaurant posted a job opening for Team Member in Missoula. Apply here.
• Missoula Doubletree posted a job opening for Group Rooms Coordinator in Missoula. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Missoula here.

Ok Missoula! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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