In 2002, Montana was designated as a High Intensity Drug Traffic Area (HIDTA).  The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has awarded grants to the Eastern Montana Drug Task Force for eighteen years and the City of Billings is the recipient and administrative agency for the grants.  The ONDCP has offered a $244,249 grant for the calendar year 2020.  The HIDTA Task Force consists of personnel from U.S. Marshal's Service, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office, and the Billings Police Department.  The Task Force is managed by a Sergeant from the Billings Police Department.  The 2020 HIDTA Award will be used to pay for a Support Specialist position for the HIDTA task force, all task force overtime, administrative and investigative travel, cell phones, copier maintenance agreement, investigative/office supplies, and informant costs.   

The City Council may:

• Approve and accept the 2020 HIDTA Award, in the amount of $244,249, or
• Not accept the 2020 HIDTA Award, in the amount of $244,249, thus costing the Public Safety Fund additional expenses for investigating and prosecuting drug related cases.

The 2020 HIDTA Award in the amount of $244,249 will require no City match. The award has been budgeted in Fund 2550 for the balance of FY 19/20 and any remaining funds will be budgeted in FY21.