City taking applications for Municipal Judge position

The City of Whitefish is soliciting applications to fill the job of Municipal Judge following the death of the judge who held the position.

Judge William Hileman died suddenly on Oct. 18 after a fall. He had also been seeking reelection at the time of his death.

City Manager Dana Smith said the person who is appointed to the position will serve the remainder of the year then likely through December 2023 pending the results of the Nov. 2 election. Since Hileman was running unopposed in the election, it’s likely that he will earn the most votes and thus meaning that the interim judge would continue.

“We have to wait until the next general election of the city to hold an election for the judge position,” she said.

The deadline to apply for the position is Nov. 10. Following that City Council will hold an executive session to interview candidates and then appoint a new judge at a regular meeting.

In the meantime, Columbia Falls City Judge Kristi Curtis, and Flathead County Justice of the Peace Eric Hummel and Justice of the Peace Paul Sullivan are assisting as temporary judges for the Whitefish court.

Smith said while the community continues to grieve the loss of Judge Hileman, the court has to continue to function.

“We can continue to operate our court and we have gratitude for [the judges] to step up to help Whitefish at this time,” she said.

Under guidelines provided to the city by the Montana Supreme Court, only a currently seated judge may serve in the temporary position.

The Municipal Judge is responsible for adjudicating misdemeanor crimes as well as civil and criminal violations of city ordinances.

Qualifications for the position include being a U.S. citizen, a resident in the state for at least two years prior to appointment and a resident within Flathead County for at least one year preceding the appointment, admittance to practice law within Montana for at least three years prior to appointment and be able to obtain certification by the Commission on Courts of Limited Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Montana.

The city lists the annual salary for the position as $80,784.46.