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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSummary Charter reportsSummary - Other City Charters Compiled by Barb Cestero August 29, 2025 At the August 20, 2025 Bozeman Study Commission meeting, each commissioner reported on their review of another City charter. For each charter, Commissioners were asked to identify key differences with the Bozeman City Charter and areas to explore/ learn more about in consideration of changes to Bozeman’s charter. This summary highlights the areas identified for each charter that was reviewed. Missoula City Charter: report/summary by Barb Cestero 1. Legislative branch/ City Council/ Ward system: The city is divided into 6 wards. Each ward elects two council members to serve on the City Council. (for a total of 12 council members). 2. Executive branch/role of Mayor: The Mayor has the day-to-day responsibility for administering the affairs of the city. The Mayor appoints/removes department heads with the “consent of the Council” and supervises all city departments. The Mayor makes appointments to city advisory boards created by the Council with the “advise and consent” of the Council and submits a proposed budget to the Council. The Mayor presides over the Council but only votes in the case of a tie. The Mayor has the authority to veto. 3. Neighborhood Councils and Community Council: The city shall establish neighborhood councils and shall divide the city into neighborhood districts. Their purpose is to advise the City Council and Mayor on neighborhood and city-wide issues. Each neighborhood council has a representative on the Community Council which functions like our Interneighborhood Council. 4. City Treasurer: The City Treasurer is an elected office, with duties, powers, and selection process established by ordinance. Beyond this, the Charter is silent on the role of treasurer. Helena City Charter: report/summary by Becky Franks 1. Powers of the City: 1. The City may not levy an all-purpose tax in excess of state laws 2. There shall be no new kinds of taxes levied without an affirmative vote of the electors 3. There shall be no changes in an ordinance or resolution regarding license fees, user fees, service fees, permit fees or utility charges without prior public hearing on the matter. 2. City Commission: 1. Commissioners have a 4 year term 2. Non partisan 3. It lays out how a commission seat shall be forfeited: Loses eligibility; Violates prohibition of the Charter; Convicted of a felony 4. The Commission is the judge of the election and qualifications of its members and the grounds of forfeiture of their office. 5. Vacancy follows state law. 6. Powers and Duties: In case the City Manager becomes incapacitated and is unable to perform required duties, the City Commission shall designate a substitute. 3. Mayor: elected to a 4 year term; voting member of City Commission. 1. The Mayor shall appoint, with the consent of the commission, all members of boards and committees. 4. Neighborhood Councils 1. There are 7, collectively comprising a Helena Citizens’ Council. They review and recommend actions relating to the annual budget and make recommendations relating to future development of the City. 2. Each Neighborhood District has 4 members elected to 2 year terms held with the City general election. Great Falls City Charter: report/summary by Carson Taylor 1. City Commission: has five voting members - a Mayor & four commissioners. All are elected at large. Mayor term is two years, City Commissioners are four years. It is a City Manager system. A Mayor Pro Tempore is selected by the Commission, to serve in the absence of the Mayor. 2. Neighborhood Councils: There are 9 (up to 13 authorized) Neighborhood Councils covering the entire City. Each Council is comprised of five persons, including a chairman, secretary and “official delegate to attend City Commission meetings.” Provision for a Great Falls citizen’s council, made up of one member from each Council. Subsection F: nothing in this section obligates the City to appropriate funds for the operation of any Council. Election of five council members to two year terms occurs at the same time as the City Commission election. Neighborhood Council seems interesting. I looked at elections for current Councils to see what participation looked like. Most (six) had exactly five candidates running for 5 positions, one had 6 candidates, the other two had 3 and 4 candidates. I wonder how well the “delegate to City Commission meetings works”. Is there good attendance? If so, I think this is a good way to connect the people and the Commission. I am curious if there is much additional cost to having so many elections on the City ballot. I am guessing not much. 3. There is no mention of an Ethics Board or Handbook in the Charter Whitefish City Charter: report/summary by Jan Strout 1. Size/organization of City Government structure: ● Intergovernmental Cooperation is valued, but not specifics on who and how. ● All Volunteers, no salary, non-partisan Mayor and 6 City Councilpersons - 3 elected every 2 years. As provided by Ordinance, they receive per diem and mileage allowances for expenses incurred. ● A Mayor is elected every four years, but has only ceremonial, no administrative duties. Mayor votes in case of Tie Votes of the Council. ● Deputy Mayor is elected annually from and by the City Counselors all elected at large, terms of 4 years. ● Powers and Duties of the Council ○ Legislative and Policy-determining body of the City ○ Council shall appoint or remove the City Administrator ○ In event of vacancy, within 30 days, by majority vote of the remaining Council members fill the vacancy until the next regular City election....[following State Law] ○ Consider this City Council process: The Council shall appoint a citizen's Standing Committee or Board of 3 to 5 members where citizens or other interested parties may first submit or present their proposals for action of the City Council for study, review and recommendations by the Committee or Board to the Council as a whole. This doesn't prohibit the appt. of ad hoc committees by the Mayor or Council. ○ From the City website: Areas of Study ■ Community Housing Needs Assessment (2022) ■ Sustainability and Climate Action ● Restrictions of the Council ○ Neither the Counsel nor any of its members shall dictate the appt or removal of any City administrative offices or employees the Administrator is empowered to appoint..... ● City Administrator ○ Strong Administrator [City Manager] system with their duties very similar to City of Bozeman system 2. Items of note: ● In 1985, the City had 2 Referendums that failed - Repeals that maintained the At-large Council members and Mayor positions ○ City Reapportionment of Wards (vs At -Large positions) ○ City Redistricting (vs At-large) ● In November, 2024 - Referendum Election to pay Mayor and Council members - failed ● City of Whitefish Study Commission has recommended not changes: https://whitefishpilot.com/news/2025/aug/13/whitefish-local-government-study-co mmission-recommends-no-changes-to-city-charter/ Billings City Charter: report/summary by Deanna Campbell The City Charter of Billings, Montana was adopted in 1976 and remains the governing framework for the city. It establishes the structure of government, limits taxing authority, defines representation, and outlines provisions for boards, commissions, and accountability. 1. Form of Government ● Billings uses a Mayor–Council system with a professional City Administrator ● The Mayor and City Council form the legislative authority. ● The City Administrator manages daily operations, enforces laws, and oversees staff. 2. Representation ● The City Council has 10 members, 2 from each of 5 wards. ● Ward-based representation ensures every neighborhood has a voice. ● The Mayor is elected at-large by all city voters. 3. Taxing Authority & Fiscal Limits ● The Charter sets explicit mill levy caps: • 74 mills for general government purposes. • 10 mills for transit services. • 5 mills for the library. ● Additional levies may be added only by voter approval (e.g., 34 mills for public safety approved in 2022). ● These provisions ensure taxpayer protections and transparency. 4. Boards & Commissions ● Boards and commissions are advisory only unless state law requires otherwise. ● Members are appointed by the Mayor with consent of the City Council. ● Service is limited to two consecutive four-year terms. ● This prevents unelected boards from exercising policymaking power. 5. General Provisions ● The Charter requires regular review under Montana’s decennial local government review law. ● Amendments must follow state law. ● Elected officials are subject to recall by voters. Key Takeaway The Billings City Charter hardwires fiscal guardrails, preserves ward-based representation, and limits the authority of boards to advisory roles only. This ensures accountability, taxpayer protection, and neighborhood representation. Billings did not elect to do a review process in this cycle.