Bond & Levy Proposals
What you're voting on, what it costs, and how it gets built. All the details, plainly explained.
Over the past 10 years, violent crime rates in Yellowstone County have increased, placing greater demands on the Yellowstone County Detention Facility and highlighting the need for expanded capacity and ongoing support for public safety. This ballot measure asks voters to approve or disapprove a permanent annual levy to fund costs of public safety services, including operating and capital costs of the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office and related public safety expenses.
Bond at a Glance
Total Bond Amount
Total Levy Amount
Bond Repayment Timeline
Levy Information
The Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners has passed a resolution to refer this ballot measure to the voters. If approved, the measure would authorize a levy of approximately 43.35 mills to generate $20 million annually to fund public safety services, including operating and capital costs of the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office and related public safety expenses, with the levy to be subject to inflation pursuant to MCA 15-10-420(1)(a). Implementation of this levy is contingent upon both voter approval and the passage of a separate, contemporaneous general obligation bond election question to fund the renovation and expansion of the detention facility.
Shall Yellowstone County, Montana (the “County”) be authorized to permanently levy approximately 43.35 mills, to generate $20 million annually, subject to 15-10-420(1)(a), MCA, for the purpose of paying costs of public safety services, including operating and capital costs of the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office and the Yellowstone County Attorney’s Office and related public safety expenses, provided that the Detention Facility will be expanded only if the voters also approve the separate general obligation bond?
The bond and the operations levy are two separate ballot questions with two separate mill rates. If approved, the estimated annual tax increase beginning in taxable year 2027 would be:
| Home Value | Bond — Construction (20-yr) | Levy — Operations (Permanent) |
|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $21 | $33 |
| $300,000 (Billings median) | $64 | $99 |
| $600,000 | $136 | $211 |
What the Bond Covers
- 332 New beds — 320 rated beds plus 12 mental health/medical beds
- Renovation of the existing 434-bed facility to restore rated capacity
- Expanded healthcare, intake, and inmate program spaces
- Life safety, ADA, and code compliance upgrades
- Site improvements including relocation of maintenance and evidence buildings
Project Timeline - Estimated
- November 3, 2026 — Bond election
- Immediately After Passing — Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be issued
- Early 2027 — Design & permitting phase begins
- Mid to Late 2027 — Construction begins
- June 2028 — Construction Mid Point