Local governments seek candidates for study commissions

Local governments in Lincoln County will get a helping hand from Montana State University Extension’s Local Government Center as they prepare to build study commissions for review.

Required every 10 years, the local government review election asks voters to decide if they want to review their local government. Voters overwhelmingly supported the creation of study commissions in the county, Libby, Troy and Eureka.

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 must write a report detailing their recommendations for changes to the respective governments.

MSU will provide support to the 43 municipalities and 12 counties in Montana that are participating in the decennial local government review.

The MSU Extension Local Government Center will provide training for study commissioners, including a July 24 online training, and support municipalities and counties through the process, according to MSU Extension Local Government Center Director Dan Clark.

Clark said Local Government Center staff want to “take the mystery” out of what is expected of a study commissioner.

The next step for participating municipalities and counties is for local citizens interested in leading the voter-initiated review to file to be elected as study commissioners.

Those interested in serving as a study commissioner have until Aug. 12 to file as a candidate. The election is nonpartisan and there is no filing fee to be a candidate. 

Declaration for nomination forms can be found on the Secretary of State’s website at https://sosmt.gov/elections/forms/#37-45-wpfd-for-candidates.  

Candidacy forms should be mailed or dropped off at the Lincoln County Elections Office, 418 Mineral Ave., Libby, or at the state Secretary of State’s office, P.O. Box 202801, Helena, MT 59620-2801.

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. Thoughtful and engaged study commissioners are critical to the success of a local government review, Clark said.

“Through this process, study commissioners can determine if adopting an alternative will lead to more effective or responsive local government,” Clark said. “All proposed changes by the study commission will need to be presented to the voters no later than the general election in November 2026.”

 Those interested in serving as study commissioner or who have already filed to be on the general election ballot in November are invited to participate in an online training hosted by the MSU Extension Local Government Center at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 24. Webinar registration is available at https://montana.webex.com/weblink/register/r3ccb4cd0fa06b7e46b0e28ecd998317d.

For the county, the local study commission will include five members. According to the resolution, the cost to operate the commission would not exceed $59,000.

In Libby, the study commission will include three members whom would be elected in the Nov. 5 general election. A tax levy not exceeding $30,000 will support the 3-person study commission to examine the City of Libby government and submit recommendations on it. 

For Troy, its study commission will include three members and the cost would not exceed $5,000.

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 the Local Government Center’s website at montana.edu/extension/localgov/.

In addition to the local governments participating, here’s a list of the counties and municipalities participating:

Counties

Anaconda-Deer Lodge; Beaverhead; Butte-Silver Bow; Daniels; Dawson; Gallatin; Glacier; Granite; Lincoln; Madison; Sheridan; Treasure.

Municipalities

Alberton; Bainville; Bozeman; Colstrip; Columbia Falls; Columbus; Culbertson; Darby; Dillon; Dodson; Ekalaka; Ennis; Eureka; Fairview; Flaxville; Glendive; Hardin; Harlem; Harlowtown; Hobson; Judith Gap; Libby; Lodge Grass; Medicine Lake; Nashua; Philipsburg; Plentywood; Polson; Poplar; Ronan; Roundup; Scobey; Shelby; Sheridan; Sidney; St. Ignatius; Sunburst; Troy; Virginia City; West Yellowstone; Westby; Whitefish; Whitehall.