The city of Billings and the Billings Mustangs baseball team have signed a one-year lease agreement for the usage of Dehler Park, according to a press release issued by the city of Billings.

“I've said from Day One that the Mustangs are an integral part of Billings — part of the city’s DNA,” Mustangs owner Dave Heller said in the press release. “We would never want to imagine the Mustangs without Billings or Billings without the Mustangs."

Billings Mustangs vs. Idaho Falls Chukars

The Billings Mustangs’ Cole Calnon, center, and teammates take the field during the Mustangs’ game against Idaho Falls at Dehler Park on Tuesday, July 28.

AMY LYNN NELSON, Billings Gazette

Dehler Park is owned by the city of Billings but is leased out to the Mustangs for $60,000 annually, for which the team retains full operational control of the baseball stadium and keeps all associated revenues.

The current lease was signed in 2017 and runs until Dec. 31, 2026.

Negotiations on a new lease agreement began in earnest last week, but quickly turned sour and erupted into public view as the city and the Mustangs started far apart on a contract.

As of last Thursday, reported progress has been made on a long-term agreement, but due to an impending July 31 Pioneer League scheduling deadline and continuing disagreements over contract language, a compromise one-year deal was reached instead.

The one-year contract allows the Mustangs to play in Billings next summer while negotiations on a new long-term agreement continue. Negotiations are expected to begin again in September, according to the press release.

“The one-year extension allows operations to continue without interruption and provides additional time for the parties to evaluate future needs, establish shared priorities, and negotiate terms that best serve the interests of the community, the city, and the Mustangs,” the press release said.