Ian Smith resigns Libby City councilor seat

The revolving door at Libby City Council swung open again at Tuesday night’s meeting when Councilor Ian Smith announced his resignation.

Smith said the Feb. 18 meeting was his last and departed.

"I’ve been given the opportunity to be a patrolman with the city of Troy, so I will be moving to Troy," Smith told his fellow councilors.

"No. 1, thank you to the people for allowing me to be a leader in this community," Smith said. "It was eye-opening and I learned a lot and it was a great experience. I hope I lived up to your standards."

Mayor Peggy Williams thanked Smith for his 14 months.

According to Troy City Clerk Paula Rice, Smith's start date is March 3. Smith is replacing officer Mike Miller, who is going to work for Montana Highway Patrol sometime around March 24-26.

Mike Miller said he had applied for a position with Montana Highway Patrol because his job with the Troy force is grant funded and he decided to apply before learning the grant was approved to pay for his position.

Smith must live in Troy to be a member of the force and his change in residency means he can not be a city councilor in Libby.

The city is currently seeking candidates to fill Smith’s seat, which will expire at the end of 2027. According to Libby city manager Sam Sikes, the city is accepting applications for the seat and they are due March 12.

Applications for appointment may be found on the city’s website at https://cityoflibby.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Application-for-appointment-2024-1.pdf or by stopping at the city building at 952 East Spruce Street.

Smith was elected to his seat in November 2023 and began serving in January 2024. Smith is a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq. He was one of three police officers for the City of Libby who resigned in November 2022 following accusations of misconduct against former Chief of Police Scott Kessel.

According to City of Libby meeting minutes from Dec. 12, 2018, Smith was sworn in to the city’s police department. Smith grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, then moved to Sandpoint, Idaho following his service in the Army. 

According to a story in the Bonner County Daily Bee, Smith joined the Ponderay Police Department in August 2016.

He then went to work for the county as a detention officer after quitting the Libby police force.

It’s the second council vacancy in less than six months. Former Councilor Gary Beach resigned his seat last year after serving eight years. 

Libby businesswoman Gail Burger was sworn in Sept. 16, 2024, to fill Beach’s seat.