I1. Res. 6181, 2024 Local Government Review CITY OF City of Kalispell
201 1st Ave E. P.O. Box 1997
KALISPELL Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997
(406) 758-7000 Fax (406)7757
REPORT TO: Mayor Johnson and Kalispell City Council
FROM: Doug Russell, City Manager
SUBJECT: Local Government Review Ballot Resolution
MEETING DATE: February 5, 2024
BACKGROUND: The Montana State Constitution requires each local government to
conduct an election every ten years on whether the electors want a local government review. The
local government review process was established in 1972 with the first review conducted in
1974.
Resolution 6181 calls for the question of a government review to be placed on the June 4, 2024,
primary election. If a majority of the electors vote in favor of establishing a study commission to
examine the City of Kalispell's form of government, members will stand for election on the
November 2024 general election ballot.
Resolution 6181 also establishes,pursuant to the terms of State Law, if electors approve the
review,the study commission will consist of five (5) members and the city could levy up to
$150,000 to pay for any costs related to the review,including election, training, and public
education costs.
If the voters decide in favor of conducting a local government review,the five (5) study
commission members will be elected during the general election on November 5, 2024,pursuant
to M.C.A. 7-3-176. Any proposed changes brought forward by the study commission will be
placed before the voters in the November 2026 general election.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended the City Council approve Resolution 6181
calling for the question of a local government review to be placed on the June 4, 2024,primary
election ballot.
ATTACHMENT: Resolution 6181
RESOLUTION NO. 6181
A RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL TO CREATE A LOCAL GOVERNMENT
STUDY COMMISSION TO REVIEW THE FORM OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT OF
KALISPELL TO THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL ON THE JUNE 4,2024
PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF TITLE 7,
CHAPTER 3,PART 1,M.C.A.,AND TO DIRECT PROPER NOTICE OF SAID ELECTION
TO BE MADE.
WHEREAS, Section 9, Article XI of the Constitution of the State of Montana requires that
municipalities conduct an election once every ten years to determine whether the city
will undertake a local government review procedure; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to 7-3-173(2) M.C.A. the municipality shall submit the question of
conducting a local government review by the establishment of a study commission to
the city electors by ballot held on the primary election date ten years following the
previous election on the matter; and
WHEREAS, ten years have elapsed since the last election on this matter so that the proposal to
undertake a local government review must now be placed on the June 4, 2024
primary election ballot; and
WHEREAS, if a majority of the electors vote in favor of establishing a local government study
commission,the members of the commission will be elected by ballot at the general
election held November 5, 2024.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KALISPELL, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The City of Kalispell hereby calls for an election by the qualified and
registered electors of the City of Kalispell, pursuant to Section 7-3-175, to
determine whether to establish a local government study commission for the
purpose of conducting a review of the government of the City of Kalispell.
SECTION 2. The election on the question of creating a study commission shall be held on
June 4, 2024, and that the question as submitted to the voters shall appear in
the ballot as it appears in Exhibit"A"attached hereto and made apart hereof.
SECTION 3. If the qualified and registered electors of the City of Kalispell vote to review
local government, a study commission consisting of five (5)members shall
be elected from the electors of the City of Kalispell.
SECTION 4. The City Clerk and City Attorney are hereby authorized and directed to make
the necessary provisions for submitting the question to the registered electors
at the next primary election to be held on the 4th day of June, 2024. The
authorization herein given shall include,but not be limited to,preparation of
legal notices,publication and posting and preparation of the proper ballots.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY THE MAYOR OF
THE CITY OF KALISPELL, THIS 5TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2024.
Mark Johnson
ATTEST: Mayor
Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk
EXHIBIT "A"
OFFICIAL BALLOT
CITY OF KALISPELL —VOTER REVIEW
INSTRUCTION TO VOTERS: Make an X or similar mark in the vacant square before
the word"FOR" if you wish to vote for the review of local government; if you are opposed to the
review of local government make an X or similar mark in the square before the word"AGAINST".
Shall the City of Kalispell conduct a local government review and establish a study
commission consisting of five (5)members to examine the government of the City of Kalispell?
[ ] FOR the review of the government of the City of Kalispell
and the establishment and funding, not to exceed $150,000, a local
government study commission consisting of five (5) members to
examine the government of the City of Kalispell and submit
recommendations thereon.
[ ] AGAINST the review of the government of the City of
Kalispell and the establishment and funding,not to exceed$150,000,
of a local government study commission consisting of five (5)
members to examine the government of the City of Kalispell and
submit recommendations thereon.