The Helena City Commission voted unanimously 5-0 on October 16 to approve a consent agenda that included city claims and two federal grant acceptances for the Helena Police Department — one tied to Violence Against Women Act funding and another for highway traffic safety programs.
All five commissioners were present for the vote. Commissioner Reid briefly addressed the grant items before making the motion, noting that commissioners had reviewed the materials ahead of the meeting. The items moved through the consent agenda without being pulled for separate discussion.
The Violence Against Women Act grant provides funding that law enforcement agencies typically use for training, victim advocacy, and investigative resources related to domestic violence and sexual assault cases. The highway traffic safety grant, administered through the state, supports traffic enforcement and safety programs. The specific dollar amounts for each grant were not included in the available meeting record.
For the Helena Police Department, the dual grant acceptance reflects ongoing efforts to supplement its operating budget with federal and state pass-through dollars — a common practice for municipal departments across Montana.