Spots still available on Libby, Troy government study commissions

The question of whether to appoint a commission to study respective governments in Libby and Troy was easily approved by voters in the June primary election, but now that there is work to be done, it seems few are interested.

According to Montana law, voters are given the choice of conducting a local government review every 10 years. The purpose of the study commission is to look at the existing form and powers of the local government and compare them with other forms available under the laws of the State of Montana. 

The study commission members then must write a report detailing their recommendations for changes to the county government.

What it isn’t meant to do is elect new representatives. But some local officials have said that there was confusion of what the government study commissions were meant to do.

In Libby, 324 people, 60%, voted for the study commission. In Troy, 135, 61%, voted for it.

But Libby has had just one person register to run for its commission while Troy had none. Three are needed for each city, but without a minimum of four candidates, there will not be elections in November for the positions.

In Libby, city councilors voted to cancel the election for study commission members. According to city Clerk Leann Monigold, the lone declared candidate will be added as a member of the Study Commission by acclimation while the remaining two members needed will be appointed by application process. 

Those interested in applying should call the city at 293-2731.

In Troy, city council members voted Wednesday to cancel the election for study commission members.

City Clerk Paula Rice said the city will need to appoint individuals after the election to the Local Government Review Study Commission. Any interested parties should contact the city at 295-4151 or Mayor Chuck Ekstedt at mayor@TroyMT.net. 

Study commissioners will spend 18 months leading discussions among local citizens about their local government’s existing power and form of government and evaluate alternatives. 

Following the studies, the respective commission would either say no changes are needed or make recommendations for change to voters by November 2026.

For more information about the local government review or to register for the online study commissioner training, visit Montana State University’s Local Government Center website at montana.edu/extension/localgov/.