Staff recommends the Council approve the attached Resolution which submits the issue of local government review to the City’s registered voters during the June 4, 2024, primary election, containing the ballot language and establishing a seven member Study Commission. 

The Montana Constitution, Article XI, Section 9, and MCA Section 7-3-173 provides that each local government's registered voters must be given the opportunity at least every ten (10) years to review their form of government. City voters will decide whether to review the current form of government at the primary election on June 4, 2024. If a majority of voters choose to conduct the review, Local Government Review Study Commissioners will be elected at the general election on November 5, 2024.

The Council Operations Committee is recommending the attached Resolution establishing the size of the local government review study commission at seven (7) with a total budget of $200,000 over two years.  In communications throughout the state, most of the larger cities are establishing their own commissions with either 5 or 7 members with budgets of $150,000 or $200,000.  Yellowstone County has established a board of 7 with a $490,365 budget. 
 

City Council may:

• Approve; or,
• Amend.

Council must pass a resolution calling for an election as required by the Montana Constitution and state law. Council only has discretion to modify the budget and the number of members of a Study Commission. 

Per state statute, the Council must determine and appropriate a budget to fund the study. The amount appropriated will need to come from general funds or Council may levy additional mills as authorized by MCA Section 7-3-184(2)(a).  The enclosed Resolution sets the total budget not to exceed $200,000.00