The Helena City Commission has tentatively decided to ask voters next spring to approve a public safety levy that will fund additional firefighters and police officers in the city. The commission unanimously chose to put the levy vote on the March 9 ballot. The commission also decided by a 3-2 margin to seek $5.3 million in funding — the middle option offered by city staff — that will be enough to hire 21 additional firefighters and nine police officers. Commissioners Melinda Reed and Ben Rigby favored the third and most expensive funding option, saying they would rather invest in the future of public safety now, especially given Helena’s growth. This story was updated on Aug. 4, 2026, to reflect how the commission reached its decision on the amount of the levy.