Christine Heggem

The meeting included updates on Montana's 988 program, call center performance, and caller metrics. Updates were provided by Voices of Hope, Fort Peck Tribes, Help Center, and WMMHC. There was a discussion on the 911-988 Integration Project and an update from the MSU Art Department. The Fort Peck Tribes Crisis Call Center discussed its operations and partnership with Voices of Hope. Federal and State 988 Funding was reviewed, including upcoming reductions. The allocation of funds for 988 marketing was discussed, along with the RFP planning process to find a marketing firm. The Missoula 988 Lifeline discussed its merger with AWARE Inc, staffing, and increased call volume. The Montana 911-988 Integration Update was presented. Plans for MT 988 Banner workshops and youth workshops were discussed.

The Tax Fairness Subcommittee meeting included discussions on homestead and comestead-type exemptions and tax rates, featuring an overview of modeling assumptions, presentation of scenarios, and committee discussion of implications and policy options. The meeting also covered the magnitude and seasonality of accommodation tax, a review of fuel taxes, and information requests for the next subcommittee meeting. Further discussion involved potential accommodation tax increases to reduce Montana property tax, the evaluation of policy options, and considerations for tax shifts and impacts on local government funding.

The subcommittee meeting addressed voter approval of property tax increases, specifically applying turnout/supermajority requirements to mill levy elections and considering moving school elections to November. The discussion also covered the equalization of school property taxes, including replacing school district BASE levies with countywide levies, setting a fixed state levy value, and lowering the state levy in FY 2026. The Big Sky Relief Program was noted as unfinished business to be reported on at the next PTAC meeting.

The annual meeting included the election of board officers, with the re-election of the chair and secretary, and the election of a new vice chair. The board reviewed the budget, discussing consultant fees for site inspections and passing a resolution to create a tiered system for consultant compensation. A motion was passed to proceed with hiring an executive director, setting a target advertisement date and expected fill date. A tentative site inspection schedule for FY 2020 was established. There was also a mental health ombudsman report, and a report from the Department of Public Health and Human Services regarding facilities.

This strategic plan for Montana aims to reduce suicide rates through a multifaceted and coordinated approach. It focuses on five key goals: implementing evidence-based prevention programs, developing comprehensive communication strategies, identifying and utilizing resources for state, tribal, county, and local efforts, building a lifespan approach to suicide prevention, and supporting high-quality data collection and analysis. The plan seeks to strengthen the suicide prevention infrastructure and improve the health, well-being, and self-reliance of all Montanans.