Staff recommends that City Council accept the 2027 Highway Safety Grant in the amount of $148,423.00 and authorize the Chief Judge to sign all required grant material. 

The Montana Department of Transportation has recommended that the City of Billings Municipal Court be awarded a $148,243 Highway Safety Grant for 2027 to support the Billings Adult Misdemeanor Treatment Court.  The grant will support 15 high-risk, high-need DUI participants during the grant period through structured supervision, treatment, monitoring, and ongoing court oversight. Funding will support a treatment court coordinator, participant supervision, treatment services, and monitoring services.

The Billings Adult Misdemeanor Treatment Court (BAMTC) has operated as a specialized court since 2006, focusing on rehabilitation and reducing recidivism among participants. BAMTC is fully grant-funded, with grant resources supporting participants in addressing mental health, drug, and/or alcohol-related issues. The program is designed to help participants successfully complete treatment, become productive and contributing members of the community, and reduce the likelihood of repeat offenses.

Acceptance of the grant will allow the Department to fully support the operation of BAMTC, without relying on departmental resources.

N/A

City Council may:

• Approve and accept the 2027 Highway Safety Grant in the amount of $148,423 and authorize the Chief Judge to sign all required grant documents; or,
• Not approve the Highway Safety Grant in the amount of $148,423, which would result in the discontinuation of the Billings Adult Misdemeanor Treatment Court.