Local Government Review Commission open to public input

The Local Government Review Commission met with the Whitefish City Council last week to ask about the efficiency of the current government system.

Review board members Kevin McDowell, Scott Wurster, Saundra Alessi, Nathan Dugan and Dakota Whitman sent questions to the councilors prior to the meeting, like “What are the specific responsibilities of the elected officials?” and “What are the most important challenges presently confronting the city?”

The review board is tasked with evaluating the city charter and considering potential recommendations. It said the council’s insights into how the system functions from a policy and leadership perspective are essential.

Topics discussed Monday night included term limits for councilors and the efficiency of the volunteer committees and whether some could be consolidated.

“Uber efficiency in terms of bringing things forward is not why we have committees.” Councilor Frank Sweeney said. “We have committees for thoughtfulness ... that are working on very specific things.”

Councilor Andy Feury said most of the standing committees are fairly specific. He could only think of two, sustainability and climate action, that are working on the same issue.

The commission holds meetings on the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall and the public is welcome to attend.

Additional opportunities for public participation include an open house at Montana Tap House at 6:30 p.m. on April 24, and the public hearing to adopt the tentative report at City Hall on May 29, at 6 p.m.

The Government Review Commission has prepared a survey to garner public input. It is available online at www.engagewhitefish.com. McDowell said the insights gathered from the public input opportunities will help the board better serve the community.  

“The purpose of the local government review is to gather as much public input as possible,” McDowell said. “Once we’ve done that, we can either bring proposed charter changes to a public vote or make recommendations to the city council. That’s why it’s so important for the public to attend meetings and complete the surveys.”