H3. Ord 1947, CM residency requirementCity of Kalispell
Jolmna Preble Office of City Attorney
City Attomey 201 First Avenue East
P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, MT 59903-1997
TO:
FROM:
MEMORANDUM
Mayor and City Council
Johnna Preble, City Attorney
Tel 406.758.7709
Fax 406.758.7758
jpreble(a),kalispell.com
SUBJECT: Ordinance 1947 — Amending Section 2-36, Kalispell City Code,
Residence of City Manager, Authorizing Council to Waive the
Residency Requirement of the City Manager Through Contract
MEETING DATE: November 17, 2025 — Regular Council Meeting
BACKGROUND: On September 8, 2025, City Council held a work session to discuss an incongruity
in City code. In 2022, Council repealed Ordinance 1582 thereby eliminating residency requirements
for all City employees. However, § 2-36 of the Kalispell City Code requires the City Manager to
reside in City limits. During discussion, Council indicated a desire to provide preference to City
Manager applicants willing to reside within City limits. However, given housing and recruiting
concerns, Council desired flexibility in negotiating City Manager residency through contract. The
proposed amendment to Section 2-36 allows Council to negotiate this item.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Council amend Section 2-36, Residence of City
Manager to allow the City Council to eliminate such requirement through contract.
ALTERNATIVES: The Council may decide not to amend Section 2-36 or suggest alternate
amendment language.
ATTACHMENT: Ordinance 1947
ORDINANCE NO. 1947
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-36, KALISPELL MUNICIPAL CODE,
RESIDENCY OF CITY MANAGER, AUTHORIZING THE COUNCIL TO WAIVE THE
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT OF THE CITY MANAGER THROUGH CONTRACT,
AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on September 8, 2025, City Council held a work session to discuss an
incongruity in City code; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, Council repealed Ordinance 1582 thereby eliminating residency
requirements for all City employees; and
WHEREAS, § 2-36 of the Kalispell City Code requires the City Manager to reside in City
limits; and
WHEREAS, given housing and recruiting concerns, Council desired flexibility in
negotiating City Manager residency through contract.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
KALISPELL, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That Section 2-36, Kalispell City Code, Residency of City Manager, is
hereby amended to read as follows:
The City Manager must reside in the City of Kalispell, unless the City
Council, through contract with the City Manager, eliminates such
requirement.
SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall be in effect from and after thirty (30) days of its
passage by the City Council.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KALISPELL, THIS
1 ST DAY OF DECEMBER, 2025.
Mark Johnson
Mayor
Attest:
Aimee Brunckhorst, CMC
City Clerk