HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 4382, Supporting the Continued Funding of the Local Government Center
Commission Memorandum
REPORT TO: Honorable Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Aimee Kissel, Deputy City Clerk
Stacy Ulmen, City Clerk
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 4382, Supporting the Continued Funding of the
Local Government Center at Montana State University
MEETING DATE: June 11, 2012
MEETING TYPE: Consent
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Resolution No. 4382, Supporting the continued funding of
the Local Government Center at Montana State University.
BACKGROUND: The Montana State University Extension Local Government Center has been
serving the city of Bozeman and all of Montana’s local government units for 18 years providing
training, technical assistance and research to officials and staff alike. The State of Montana does
not have another comparable resource.
In addition, the city of Bozeman has been utilizing the Local Government Center for our annual
ethics training for all city employees, elected officials and advisory board members since 2009.
The trainings have been cutting edge with the Center custom designing the curriculum each year
and ensuring trainings evolve over time keeping them fresh, relevant and engaging. This year’s
training was just completed with over 500 people attending over 20 sessions. The response from
participants was overwhelmingly positive as they loved Betsy Webb’s enthusiasm and practical
approach to critical thinking around ethics issues.
The Local Government Center has been funded in the past by the State of Montana, as it was
established as a mandate by the Montana Constitution. We feel funding for the Center should
continue to be provided by the State and were disappointed to hear that funding was not included
in the State budget last session. We were relieved to hear Montana State University President
Waded Cruzado stepped forward to offer one time, emergency interim funding. While thankful
to MSU for realizing what a valuable resource the Center is, the municipalities throughout the
state should continue to urge Legislatures and the Board of Regents to place the Center’s funding
back in the State budget. To that end, please see Resolution No. 4382, supporting the continued
funding of the Local Government Center at Montana State University.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Commission.
FISCAL FFECTS: No immediate fiscal affects, but if the Center were to close the city of
Bozeman and other municipalities could incur additional costs for technical support.
Attachments: Resolution No. 4382
Report written 5-31-12
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COMMISSION RESOLUTION NO. 4382
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF BOZEMAN, MONTANA SUPPORTING THE
CONTINUED FUNDING OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CENTER
AT MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY.
WHEREAS the Local Government Center was established at Montana State
University in 1985, initially to provide assistance to counties and municipalities and their
local government study commissions mandated by the Montana Constitution; and
WHEREAS, in 1993 the Montana State Legislature formally established the
mission of the Local Government Center to "strengthen the capacities of Montana's local
governmental units to deliver essential services efficiently and to provide training,
technical assistance, and research to local officials ”; and
WHEREAS, the Local Government Center has, for the past 18 years, faithfully carried
out the mission established for it by the Montana legislature by providing advice to local
governments and critical training in the form of the Mayors Academy, the Municipal Institute
for Clerks, Treasurers and Finance Officers, the Municipal Institute for Elected Officials, and
the Jim Tillotson Service Program for continuing education for city attorneys; and
WHEREAS, in addition, the Local Government Center has provided valuable
assistance creating and conducting annual ethics training sessions and co-created an ethics
handbook for the city of Bozeman; and
WHEREAS, the elected and appointed officials and city clerk’s of the City of
Bozeman has received valuable training and advice from the Local Government Center since
its establishment in 1985; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Bozeman believes in the importance
to the City of Bozeman and other local governments in the State of Montana that the Local
Government Center continue to effectively perform its mission of providing assistance to local
governments; and
WHEREAS adequate funding is necessary to assure that the Local Government
Center can continue to effectively perform its mission.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY the City Commission of the City of
Bozeman, Montana that it hereby endorses the Local Government Center at Montana State
University, supports the continued funding of the Local Government Center at adequate levels to
permit it to continue to effectively fulfill its mission of providing technical assistance, training,
and research for local governments in Montana, and urges the Montana legislature and the Board
of Regents to assure that such adequate funding continues.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Commission of the City of Bozeman,
Montana at a regular session thereof held on the 11th day of June, 2012.
___________________________________
SEAN A. BECKER
Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________________
STACY ULMEN, CMC
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________________
GREG SULLIVAN
City Attorney
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