Little Interest In Government Review Spots
The Roosevelt County communities of Poplar, Culbertson and Bainville each voted to have a local government review during the primary election in June. The next step was to elect at least three commission members for the study.
The deadline for filing for the commission was Monday, Aug. 12. In the three communities, the lone candidate who filed was Darrell Rasmussen of Bainville.
Although citizens can still file as write-in candidates, it’s much more likely than the town councils of Poplar, Culbertson and Bainville will need to appoint the commission members.
During the primary election, Poplar’s voters supported a local government review by a 49-24 margin. Local government reviews were also approved in Culbertson, 105101, and Bainville, 23-19.
The requirement of asking the public for a government review at least every 10 years was a result of the 1972 Constitution Convention in Montana. The goal is to make sure political power is from the citizens. People have exclusive rights of governing themselves.
Once elected or appointed, commission candidates have 10 days to have their first meeting. Commission must engaged in the community in such forms as surveys, open houses or town hall meetings. Requirements for commission members include being non-partisan, living in the jurisdiction, being eligible to hold elected office and not be an elected official in local government. Commission members can’t get paid. The commission must include an ex officio non-voting member appointed by the governing body.
Duties of the commission include studying the existing form and power of the government. Things that are not in the scope of the government review include removing or discipline staff members of individuals in elected offices, adding or changing services or programs, changing the election process, and changing fees, assessments, taxes or other funding mechanisms.
Members of the government review commission will receive training from Montana State University Extension’s local government center.
Areas of consideration with the plan of government could include: will elections be held by wards or at large; will elections be partisan or non-partisan; and should terms of office be concurrent or overlapping.
Voters in 12 counties and 42 cities and towns in approved local government reviews during the June primary election.
