HB 447 was passed by the 2017 Legislature and authorizes municipalities to cancel a general election for the election of a municipal officer by resolution after notification by the election administrator if the number of candidates filing for election is equal or less than the number of positions to be filled.  The City of Billings received a letter from the Yellowstone County Election Administrator, Bret Rutherford, on September 6, 2017, giving notice that the elected municipal officer position eligible for cancellation is the Municipal Judge position.

Staff recommends Council approve a resolution cancelling the November 7, 2017 general election for Municipal Judge ONLY, and elect by acclamation, Sheila R. Kolar, as Municipal Judge.
 

City Council may:

• Approve the resolution cancelling the November 7, 2017 General Election for Municipal Judge and electing Sheila R. Kolar as Municipal Judge, or;
• Disapprove cancelling the November 7, 2017 General Election for Municipal Judge and electing Sheila R. Kolar as Municipal Judge. If disapproved, the Municipal Judge portion will appear on the ballot.

According to the Yellowstone County Election Administrator, Bret Rutherford, removing the Municipal Judge's race would reduce the municipal election cost by approximately 9% or $5,000, as the City's coverage on the ballot would go from approximately 75% to 66%.

Staff recommends that the City Council approve cancelling the November 7, 2017 General Election for the Municipal Judge position and elect by acclamation, Sheila R. Kolar, as Municipal Judge.