New Public Safety Facility

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.

You can access the full copy of the Needs Assessment, along with all Public Safety Facility past reports.

Generated image of the new jail.