Welcome to the Future of Public Safety in Flathead County
Location
Kalispell, MT 59901
225 Snowline Lane
Kalispell, MT 59901
Contact Info
+1 (406) 758-5501
Flathead County is committed to transparency and open communication throughout the bond proposal process.
We encourage community member to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our goal is to ensure you have the information you need to make an informed decision and understand the full impact of this important project.
In November 2025, Flathead County voters approved a $105 million bond to construct a new Public Safety Facility.
With that approval, the County began the next phase of a long-planned effort to address detention capacity, officer safety, and long-term infrastructure needs.
The current jail was built in 1987 for 63 inmates. Over the decades, Flathead County has grown significantly, while the facility has been stretched beyond its original design. Although temporary expansions increased bed count, the building’s layout, infrastructure, and safety limitations cannot meet modern standards or long-term demand.
Where We Are Now
With voter approval secured, the County is actively:
- Finalizing architectural and design details
- Conducting value engineering to ensure cost efficiency
- Preparing for bond issuance and construction planning
- Establishing oversight and accountability measures
Construction timelines, financial updates, and key project milestones will be shared here as they develop.
Our Commitment
Flathead County has been saving for this project since 2017 and reduced projected construction costs by tens of millions of dollars through disciplined planning and value engineering.
The goal remains clear: deliver a facility that is functional, durable, and fiscally responsible.
This website will serve as the central source for accurate information, project documents, and progress updates.
We appreciate the trust placed in us by the voters of Flathead County and are committed to carrying this project forward with transparency and care.

Generated image of the new jail.


Timeline
- 2017 → County began setting aside funds (nearly $18M saved so far, mostly federal funds)
- 2023 → Formal needs assessment completed
- 2024
- Purchased 115-acre site at 225 Snowline Lane for $3.9M
- Elevatus Architecture hired (Nov 2024)
- March 2025 → Martel hired for preconstruction
- Aug 7, 2025 → Commissioners passed resolution to place $105M bond on the November 4, 2025 ballot
- Nov 4, 2025 → Bond election passed
- FY 2026/2027 → Taxpayer impact begins
- Feb 2026 → Flathead County Board of Commissioners officially appointed In2itive Architecture as the Owner's Representative
- Feb 2026 → The Board approved the bond issuance resolution, which is the official legal step that allows the county to begin the bond selling process.
- While the bond resolution was approved on February 12, 2026, the actual bond sales—where the debt is purchased by investors—are expected to take place in mid-April 2026. This timing is designed to have the cash on hand for the project's groundbreaking.
- 2026–2028 → Estimated construction period (2–3 years)
- Target Opening → Around 2028–2029