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| Date: | 06/11/2026 |
| Title: | FFY27 Billings MPO Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) |
| Presented by: | Lora Mattox |
| Department: | Planning & Community Services |
| Presentation: | Yes |
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) review and direct staff to move forward with a request to approve the 2027 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) from the Yellowstone County Board of Planning, Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners, and City Council for local approval and forward that recommendation to the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC). Final local review and action will be held by the PCC on July 21, 2026.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The Billings MPO (MPO) is presenting the Draft 2027 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for review and recommendation to the governing bodies. The UPWP is primarily for programming federal funds that Billings receives from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for transportation planning and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for transit (MET) planning. These funds are passed through the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT). All transportation planning activities are included in the UPWP to represent a comprehensive document for the urban transportation planning program. This UPWP proposes planning activities for Federal Fiscal Year 2027, running from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, and corresponds directly with the Planning Division’s annual work plan.
This year the total PL allocation is $1,035,870, which the Planning Division proposes providing local matching funds which are required at a certain percentage per element (a total breakdown of funding is located in Table I Funding Summary on page 52 of the attached UPWP). On page 53, Table 3 provides a 5-year PL funding allocation projection. By outlining the proposed future PL funding that the Billings MPO could receive, it allows for future project planning and ensures that the MPO will have funding available for the required documents the MPO is required to complete. For the Billings MPO, this includes the Long Range Transportation Plan that will be required to be updated by July of 2028. Table 4 on page 53 outlines the percentage breakdown per element (note that some transportation planning elements are 100% PL funded). The Planning Division matches these funds through the Planning Mill Levy and fees generated through city and county planning applications and processes. This year, with the allocation for staffing and transportation planning activities, the MPO is proposing using up to $981,500 in PL funding. The local match is $720,500. This amount includes $695,569 from the County Planning Mil Levy, $170,000 in County Planning fees, and $274,000 in City Planning fees. The un-programmed PL funds in the amount of $54,371 will not be lost to the MPO, PL funds are carried over and re-allocated to the MPO in a two-year time frame.
Projects identified for this year’s program include (detailed description of each project in the UPWP):
Under Element 300 – Transportation System Data – 100% PL
This year the total PL allocation is $1,035,870, which the Planning Division proposes providing local matching funds which are required at a certain percentage per element (a total breakdown of funding is located in Table I Funding Summary on page 52 of the attached UPWP). On page 53, Table 3 provides a 5-year PL funding allocation projection. By outlining the proposed future PL funding that the Billings MPO could receive, it allows for future project planning and ensures that the MPO will have funding available for the required documents the MPO is required to complete. For the Billings MPO, this includes the Long Range Transportation Plan that will be required to be updated by July of 2028. Table 4 on page 53 outlines the percentage breakdown per element (note that some transportation planning elements are 100% PL funded). The Planning Division matches these funds through the Planning Mill Levy and fees generated through city and county planning applications and processes. This year, with the allocation for staffing and transportation planning activities, the MPO is proposing using up to $981,500 in PL funding. The local match is $720,500. This amount includes $695,569 from the County Planning Mil Levy, $170,000 in County Planning fees, and $274,000 in City Planning fees. The un-programmed PL funds in the amount of $54,371 will not be lost to the MPO, PL funds are carried over and re-allocated to the MPO in a two-year time frame.
Projects identified for this year’s program include (detailed description of each project in the UPWP):
Under Element 300 – Transportation System Data – 100% PL
- Replacement and upgrade to traffic and trail counters. The total cost budgeted for this is $20,000. Proposed by the MPO.
- In FFY27, Billings MPO staff will begin internal development of the 2028 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) through a two-year effort focused on public engagement and technical preparation. Initial activities will include public meetings, stakeholder coordination, digital outreach, an interactive mapping platform, and a public survey to identify transportation needs, safety concerns, mobility issues, and investment priorities across the region, with portions of the outreach and survey work supported by consultant services. Concurrently, the MPO will initiate updates to the regional TransCAD travel demand model using current demographic, land use, and network data, with consultant assistance for model calibration and technical analysis as needed. These efforts will provide a strong, data-driven, and publicly informed foundation for continued LRTP development in future program years. MPO staff has already begun reviewing the 2023 LRTP and outlining steps for the 2028 update, with $100,000 allocated for first-year technical support, including $24,141 dedicated to Safe and Accessible Transportation Planning Options.
STAKEHOLDERS
The local review of the UPWP involves work sessions and regular business meetings of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), City Council (Council), Yellowstone County Board of Commissioners (BOCC), and Yellowstone County Board of Planning (Planning Board). The Planning Board also conducts a legally advertised public hearing at its meeting to review the UPWP. The public can provide comments or questions at the Council, BOCC, and Planning Board meetings, as well as formal public testimony at the Planning Board. Below is a list of outreach associated with the development of the FY27 UPWP:
- May 20, MPO staff met with the County Public Works staff. Discussion included a discussion on the types of projects the MPO can assist with. One area of interest is conducting intersection or corridor studies at predetermined locations.
- MPO staff will discuss development of the UPWP with the Technical Advisory Committee on June 11.
- On June 17, the MPO will meet with the Legislative and Local Affairs Committee members of the City Council. This opportunity will provide a discussion with council representatives on MPO activities for the upcoming year.
- MPO staff will attend the July 2 Board of County Commissioners Discussion Meeting to discuss the meeting with County Public Works, discuss proposed MPO projects and continue a dialogue with the Commissioners.
- Other scheduled meetings include a City Council Work session on July 6. If needed, additional work sessions will be scheduled to continue discussions.
ALTERNATIVES
TAC may:
1. Direct MPO staff to move forward with the UPWP as drafted and support the FFY27 UPWP.
2. Direct MPO staff to make adjustments to the program document and either move forward with the UPWP with changes, or return to TAC for further review.
1. Direct MPO staff to move forward with the UPWP as drafted and support the FFY27 UPWP.
2. Direct MPO staff to make adjustments to the program document and either move forward with the UPWP with changes, or return to TAC for further review.
FISCAL EFFECTS
Approval of the 2027 UPWP allows the MPO to access federal funds for transportation planning in the community. Federal and local funds are combined to provide most of the planning work done by the Planning Division for the City and the County. If the UPWP is not approved, there would be a significant loss of resources for community planning, and the community's ability to manage transportation planning projects and programs would be severely limited. The estimated breakdown of funding sources for the FY 2027 UPWP is as follows:
- $274,000 Planning Dept. Fee Revenue (City of Billings)
- $170,000 Planning Dept. Fee Revenue (Yellowstone County)
- $695,569 Yellowstone County Planning Levy
- $1,035,871 Federal Planning (PL) Allocation
Total Local and Federal Program Funding (UPWP): $2,175,440
- $274,000 Planning Dept. Fee Revenue (City of Billings)
- $170,000 Planning Dept. Fee Revenue (Yellowstone County)
- $695,569 Yellowstone County Planning Levy
- $1,035,871 Federal Planning (PL) Allocation
Total Local and Federal Program Funding (UPWP): $2,175,440
SUMMARY
Staff recommends that the TAC review and direct MPO staff move forward with the 2027 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) and request approval from the Planning Board, BOCC, and City Council to forward this approval to the Policy Coordinating Committee. Approval of the UPWP grants access to federal funds for transportation planning, combining federal and local funds to support most planning work. Without approval, community planning resources would be significantly reduced, limiting the management of transportation projects.