This is a discussion item and no action is required now, but the grant solicitation requires a certification by the Mayor indicating there is City support for the grant proposal. Staff would bring this matter to Council at a regular meeting to request authorization for the Mayor to execute a Certification. 

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has released a call for applications for its FY 2026 Model Cities Initiative (MCI), a competitive grant program that will award approximately $300 million to 2 to 4 local governments nationwide through 36-month cooperative agreements. There is no local match requirement. Attached is the full DOJ call for applications, including the certification and appendix forms an applicant would be required to submit.

A Phase 1 application is due September 1, 2026. Key items for Council's attention include: (1) a required certification of compliance with 8 U.S.C. § 1373 regarding immigration status information-sharing; (2) an award condition obligating a recipient to reimburse DOJ for costs associated with any future federal law enforcement surge in the city; (3) a cooperative agreement structure giving DOJ “substantial involvement” in program design and implementation rather than a standard, lower-oversight grant; and (4) a requirement that the Mayor or City Administrator with jurisdiction over the city sign on before an application can be submitted.

MCI is intended to fund cities that adopt “comprehensive and innovative strategies to reduce crime, restore law and order, and serve as a nationwide example,” building on federal surge operations DOJ has cited in Memphis and Washington, D.C. Eligible uses span policing personnel and technology, prosecution and forensic capacity, victim services, reentry programming, and mental health/substance use services tied to public safety.

• Eligibility: Local governments serving a population of 100,000+ (Billings qualifies).
• Funding: ~$300 million total; 2–4 awards nationwide; no match required.
• Process: Phase 1 written application due September 1, 2026; finalists are invited to Phase 2 presentations to DOJ leadership.
• Partner sign-off required before submission: Mayor, City Manager, City Prosecutor, Sheriff, this Council, Director of Health and Human Services, and Community Supervision Executive.
• Award conditions: a required certification of compliance with 8 U.S.C. § 1373 (immigration status information-sharing), and a mandatory award condition requiring reimbursement of DOJ for any future federal law enforcement surge response to violent crime or public disorder costs in the city. DOJ also retains “substantial involvement” in implementation as a cooperative agreement, more so than a typical grant.

MCI funding may be used across eight categories: (1) hiring and retaining sworn and non-sworn personnel; (2) equipment and technology, including real-time crime centers, forensic and DNA tools, body-worn cameras, license plate readers, artificial intelligence systems, and drone/counter-drone systems; (3) training and professional development; (4) facility costs; (5) mental health and substance use services; (6) reentry and recidivism-reduction programming; (7) victim services; and (8) youth crime prevention and intervention. Applicants are not required to address every objective listed under the program's seven goals, but must demonstrate a comprehensive strategy addressing violent crime reduction, data and intelligence capacity, victim services, and behavioral health integration with the criminal justice system.

All Rise contacted city staff to inquire if the City was interested in submitting a proposal to this MCI. All Rise is a nonprofit organization that works with treatment courts in Yellowstone County. It provides training, membership, and advocacy organization for justice innovation addressing substance use and mental health at every intercept point. All Rise provides training and technical assistance at the local, state, and national levels, advocates for federal and state funding, and collaborates with public and private entities. All Rise works in every U.S. state and territory and in countries throughout the world. All Rise believes Billings is well-positioned to compete for this opportunity and is willing to provide support in preparing a comprehensive proposal and application development. Additionally, if Billings is awarded funding, All Rise will provide intensive technical assistance to successfully implement the program. This can include:

• Assisting with overall project management
• Designing a comprehensive strategy that aligns with DOJ requirements and local priorities
• Supporting implementation of evidence-based approaches to recidivism reduction, treatment access, and public safety
• Facilitating collaboration among law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, community supervision agencies, behavioral health providers, and other key stakeholders
• Providing expert training and professional development for project partners
• Developing operational policies, procedures, and implementation guides
• Establishing performance measures and outcome tracking systems
• Supporting data collection, reporting, and continuous quality improvement efforts

City staff met with County officials and other community partners to gauge interest and support for putting together a comprehensive strategy that could be a significant transformational opportunity for Billings and Yellowstone County. All partners are supportive of submitting a Phase I application with the assistance of All Rise.

No match is required, and Phase 1 submission itself costs only staff time. If awarded, funding could support new personnel, equipment, and services described above; however, Council should be aware of two open-ended items: (1) an unquantified future reimbursement obligation tied to any federal surge response, and (2) potential ongoing costs (e.g., staffing, maintenance) for anything funded that continues past the 36-month award term.

All Rise will provide comprehensive support in preparing a competitive application at no upfront cost to the City. If the City is awarded the grant, a portion of the grant funds will go to All Rise for grant administration and technical assistance to implement the program. 

City Council and Staff, including Administration, Legal, Police, Fire, and Municipal Courts
County Staff, including County Attorney, Sheriff, Jail and Youth Court services
District Court
The Northern Lights Family Justice Center
Riverstone Health
Billings Clinic Crisis Center
Other Community Partners, including, but not limited to: Alternatives, Inc, Tumbleweed, Rimrock Foundation, YWCA, Behavioral Health Services, Victim Services, Sober Living and Transitional Housing, Job Training and Vocational Services organizations.

 

This is an informational work session item and no formal alternatives are required. Council may request additional information, provide feedback, or direction about its support for the MCI.