Great Falls boards weighed Benefis Village permit, library pay; City Commission set for rezoning and budget
Several Great Falls advisory boards and authorities met over the past two weeks, but because minutes have not yet been published, the outcomes of their scheduled votes are not available. The largest item on the agendas was a public hearing on a conditional use permit for Benefis Village, a proposed memory care community on 13.14 acres at 3020 18th Ave South.
Planning Advisory Board / Zoning Commission — June 23
The board scheduled a public hearing on a Conditional Use Permit for Benefis Health System Inc. to establish a retirement home (Benefis Village) at 3020 18th Ave South. The proposal would accommodate up to 48 residents and employ approximately 52 full- and part-time staff. Neighborhood Council #5 raised concerns about lighting, building visibility, and construction dust; staff recommended increasing setbacks from 8 to 15 feet as a condition. The board was set to vote on a recommendation to the City Commission. The vote outcome is not yet available.
Library Board — June 23
The Great Falls Public Library Board of Trustees was scheduled to act on library director compensation and a July 4th holiday closure, adopt May 21 special meeting and May 26 general meeting minutes, and accept financial reports including income statements, vendor summaries, and a donation report. Attached minutes from May showed discussion of strategic planning, a library remodel, and a fundraising timeline. Outcomes are not yet published.
Transit District — June 24
The Great Falls Transit District Board was set to elect officers, review financial and ridership reports, discuss a preliminary budget, and consider the purchase of emergency radio equipment. No outcomes are available.
Neighborhood Council District 4 — June 25
The council was scheduled to vote on the Adopt a Park Program presented by Art Taft, approve May 28 minutes, and hear an introduction from new Park and Recreation Director Toby Hazelbaker. Public comment on non-agenda items was invited.
Airport Authority — June 30
The Great Falls International Airport Authority was scheduled to review May 2026 financial reports, including payroll checks totaling $120,919.22 and maintenance and operations checks totaling $794,852.97. A Passenger Facility Charge totaling $77,772.68 was listed. Discussion items included a parking lot bid, an Avmax Phase I extension, and a ground lease amendment.
Neighborhood Council — July 2
The council discussed planning for the annual Summer Celebration scheduled for August 22, 2026, at Jaycee Park from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Coming up
- **July 7 — City Commission:** First reading of Ordinance 3285 to rezone 305 21st Ave S to R-2 Single-family Medium Density. The consent agenda includes $4,158,776 in expenditures and setting public hearings for the Gibson Park concession lease and FY2027 BID/TBID budgets. Appointments up for vote: Nena Frances Horner to the Housing Authority Board (two-year term) and Bryan Lockerby to the Police Commission (three-year term). The Commission will also consider awarding a beverage/vending service and sponsorship agreement to Admiral Beverage Corporation (Pepsi of Great Falls).
- **July 7 — City Commission Work Session:** Presentation on the proposed FY2027 budget, led by Greg Doyon and finance staff.
- **July 8 — Historic Preservation Advisory Commission:** Discussion of the Great Falls Portage National Historic Landmark, plus reports from the Semiquincentennial, Vinegar Jones Cabin, and Boston and Montana Barn committees.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.