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Fort Benton Police Chief John Turner manages a force of four officers. With just one or two on shift at a time, normally space isn't a big problem, but until current renovations are complete all four officers are having to share space with multiple different agencies like the city council and city administration.

Turner said, "It's for a short period of time. We'll do the best we can and we'll get through it."

The $330,000 job is being funded in large part thanks to a Department of Environmental Quality energy grant.

The city will end up paying only $180,000 for a complete overhaul.

Fort Benton Mayor Rick Morris said, "We think we got a pretty good deal on it really."

The renovations will add 4,500 square feet of new space to provide new offices for city staff, council members and the justice of the peace, as well as the police department.

Mayor Morris said, "We've got things going on at both ends. They're renovating the front, that's where we're going to have our new handicap accessible bathrooms, as well as offices for the mayor and clerk treasurers."

The police department, which has struggled with efficiency with the old building's layout, will now have space for a booking area, two interview rooms, office space and a training area among other upgrades.

Turner said, "It's going to really afford us the ability to better serve the public."

The building, which was constructed in the early 1900's, will also see some new technology.

As part of the DEQ energy grant the building will be equipped with high efficiency furnaces and air conditioning, improved insulation, and handicap bathrooms with water saving toilets.

Renovations are expected to be complete by the beginning of November.