Billings’ 2025 budget comes with utility fee hikes [Video]

The Billings City Council has approved a $473 million budget for 2025 that includes significant investments in public safety with more conservative spending on parks and trails.

Paying for the city’s plans is expected to cost the typical Billings household an extra $120 over the next year.

That’s with an estimated average increase of about $13.40 a month in residential utility fees, offset by a reduction of about $38.87 a year in property taxes for a median home, according to City Finance Director Andy Zoeller.

The council amended the city budget for the 2025 fiscal year, which starts July 1, and approved it on a 10-to-1 vote late Monday evening. Councilman Tom Rupsis said he opposed the spending plan because it’s “financially irresponsible.”

The budget includes adding 32 full-time employees to the city staff of about 1,100.

Of the newly approved positions, 23 are in public safety, including seven firefighters, six patrol officers, two detectives, three community safety officers, an evidence analyst, …