Should city review government structure?
Nucleus Avenue at night.
On the June primary ballot, Columbia Falls voters are being asked to decide if they want a government review to examine the structure of city government.
The local government review is constitutionally required every 10 years as in Article XI, Section 9 of the 1972 Montana Constitution.
The City Council was required to put the question before voters on whether they’d like a review. Election Day is June 4.
This is an opportunity for citizens to review their city’s power and form of government and to make recommendations for changes to their structure of government. Cities that choose to participate will elect study commissioners to evaluate the local government’s structure and propose recommendations for improvements.
If a majority of voters say no, the process ends.
The city’s form of government, manager-commission, was established pursuant to a citizen-initiated process in 1992 with Columbia Falls hiring their first city manager in 1994. The city looked at the same issue in 2014, but ultimately a panel recommended no changes.
If a majority of voters say yes, a three-member commission will be elected in November to examine and submit recommendations to the public.
The commission would begin work in 2025 and in 2026 the voters accept or reject the commission's recommendations.
The cost of the study commission would not exceed $55,000, funded by a permissive levy. The City would incur additional costs paid for out of the General Fund for support of the commission.
To learn more about the local government review process and the different forms of government, visit the Montana Local Government Center.