Libby Government Study Commission wants to increase transparency

Members of the Libby City Government Study Commission are proposing a sub-committee to increase transparency.

Vince Backen, a member of the Study Commission, sent out a press release Friday that it will discuss forming a Transparency Accountability Committee (TAC) at its next meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 26 at the Maki Theatre in Libby.

"Transparency and accountability is about maintaining trust between Libby citizens and elected government officials," Backen said in an email to media in south Lincoln County. "Creating a culture of transparency and accountability will help voting and non-voting citizens of Libby build trust with our local elected government to operate more effectively and better serve the citizens.

"The TAC's primary mission will be to design and Implement local transparency and accountability mechanisms between Libby citizens and Libby government, a bottom up approach. This will be a courageous, daunting, challenging and frustrating task," Backen said.

Backen said he and other members of the Government Study Commission, including D.C. Orr and John Bebee, are searching for Libby citizens who are passionate about the integrity of the Libby local government. 

"If you are ready to make a difference at the grass roots level attend and participate at the City of Libby Government Study Commission meetings," Backen said.

For more information, contact Backen by text at 406-200-3193.

Backen, Orr and Karen Dinkins were sworn in at a November 2024 city council meeting and were to spend the next 18 months leading discussions among local citizens about their local government’s existing power and form of government and evaluate alternatives.

But Dinkins, citing other opportunities outside Libby, resigned from the study commission later in November. Bebee was later appointed to fill the spot.

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.