Libby's government study commission ready for work

Libby Mayor Peggy Williams swore in the three members of its government study commission Monday during the regular bi-monthly meeting.

D.C. Orr, Karen Dinkins and Vince Backen will spend the next 18 months leading discussions among local citizens about their local government’s existing power and form of government and evaluate alternatives.

Their first meeting was scheduled for last Tuesday.

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.

In Libby, voters approved a tax levy not exceeding $30,000 to support the 3-person study commission to examine the City of Libby government and submit recommendations on it. 

The study commission members must write a report detailing their recommendations for changes to the respective governments.

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

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 and support municipalities and counties through the process.