Police Chief Reports Billings Making Strides, In Fighting Crime, Still Challenges to Confront
In 2025 the City of Billings was safer than 2024, reported Chief Rich St. John, during a press conference last week, in which he presented the Billings Police Department’s Annual Report. But even though it’s safer, the Billings Police made 7,465 arrests, which was the highest in five years. Reports of property crime were down […]
Billings Reduces Building Permit Fees by 25%
The Billings City Council has approved a 25% reduction in permit fees, referring to the move as “a major step in the City’s commitment to supporting growth and affordability.” According to the City, it has been in extensive talks with local builders and developers over the last 18 months in order to identify opportunities for […]
Community Officials Mull Community Needs, Demands on Property Taxpayers
A meeting of City, County and School District officials, as well as many other community leaders, last Wednesday, was dominated by discussions of the future needs of the community and competing demands upon taxpayers, as the County pursues a levy and bond to expand the jail and School District 7 projects a mill levy request […]
4 of the 6 Board of Directors, voted against the more expensive option
Dear Editor, Heights Water District customers have something to be Thankful for …. Last Wednesday, April 16, 4 of the 6 Board of Directors, voted against the more expensive option, to address the “Low Pressure Issue”, in the Lake Hills area. Instead, they voted to support the most Cost-Effective Alternative, with the “Rate Payers” in mind. Based […]
How handy is that! Bill Kennedy
Dear Editor, In February, Torgesons, submitted an application to the (SBURA) TIF Board for $900,000.00 of taxpayer funded corporate welfare. I will admit I’m not sure what they required our money for. The TIF advisory board agreed to recommend to the city council to give them $300,000.00 of their $900,000.00 request. At the March 4 […]
The Responsibilities of Board Members are …
Dear Editor, The responsibility of board members in the County Water District of Billings Heights (CWDBH) is to work with the staff to provide clean, reliable water cost effectively. CWDBH contracted with Interstate Engineering to write two Preliminary Engineering Reports (PER) totaling $830,000. By comparison, the City of Laurel spent $54,000 and Lockwood $100,000. The […]
Heights Water District Wraps Up Year End Business
The County Water District Board in the Heights approved a number of resolutions at their December 18 meeting, including the employees’ retirement plan and final approval of the district’s Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). The meeting began, however, with a somewhat contentious issue regarding a notice submitted to the board threatening a lawsuit regarding any effort […]
City Hires Firm to Audit Utility Billings System
Having struggled for months to get its new automated billing system to work properly, the City of Billings has engaged SL-serco from Minneapolis to conduct an audit of the system. The process has already begun with consultants visiting Billings homes, selected randomly, to check out meter readings. The readings, transmitted by radio frequency from residential […]
We support Mike Yakawich for Senate
Dear Editor, We have gotten to know Mike Yakawich through his work with the City of Billings when he was a City Councilman, his interaction with the South Billings Urban Renewal as well as with his time and energy with his investment in the Southwest Corridor of Billings. Mike worked with other
Engineers, Consolidation, Policies Top Heights Water District Agenda
The Board for the County Water District in the Heights dealt with numerous issues dealing with policies and operations at a business work session on September 4. The water district needs a plan to deal with the district- wide maintenance of the system, which means having a schedule to replace aging pipeline and other equipment. […]