Local government review group seeks input

by Heidi Desch / Whitefish Pilot
| July 7, 2015 10:00 PM

A panel studying Whitefish’s government wants to know what the citizens think of their city government.

The Whitefish Local Government Study Commission is holding a public meeting on Wednesday, July 8 to take input from residents about what is working and not working in city government. The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. at the O’Shaughnessy Center.

The Montana Constitution requires residents get the opportunity every 10 years to study their government through a citizen-led commission. Whitefish voters last fall decided they wanted a review of the city government.

The Whitefish study commission is made up of chairman Ken Williams, Turner Askew and Rebecca Norton. Vanice Woodbeck, assistant city clerk, serves as the ex-officio member of the commission.

According to state law, the purpose of the study commission is to allow citizens to evaluate their governments and decide whether changes are needed. The commission has the ability to examine several aspects of local government, including its form and powers, its structure and how well it provides essential services.

The commission has been studying the possibility of paying the mayor and city councilors for their positions.

The six city councilors receive no salary for their work, which includes twice-a-month meetings, work sessions, committee meetings and other obligations. The mayor is also unpaid.

Also one suggestion brought to the commission, is the idea of implementing wards for councilors. Currently, councilors are elected to serve the entire city, but under a ward system would have to live in and would represent different geographic areas of the city.

The commission has two years to conduct its review and will eventually release a report with its final recommendations. Changes to the city charter will have to go before the voters.

In 2005, the government review commission recommended changing the mayoral term from two to four years, which was done. Another recommendation to pay council members for their time was not approved.