E3. Ord 1947, City Manager ResidencyCity 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
Jarod Nygren, Interim City Manager
Johnna Preble, City Attorney
Tel 406.758.7709
Fax 406.758.7758
jpreble@kalispell xom
SUBJECT: Ordinance 1947 — Amending Ordinance 1245, Residence of City
Manager, Authorizing Council to Waive the Residency Requirement of
the City Manager Through Contract
MEETING DATE: December 1, 2025 — Regular Council Meeting
BACKGROUND: On September 8, 2025, City Council unanimously approved the first reading of
Ordinance 1947 relating to an amendment of § 2-36 of the Kalispell City Code allowing Council the
ability to negotiation the residency requirement for the City Manager.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Council amend Ordinance 1245, Residence of
City Manager to allow the City Council to eliminate the requirement that the City Manager live in City
limits through contract.
ALTERNATIVES: The Council may decide not to amend Ordinance 1245 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WHEREAS, in 2022, Council repealed Ordinance 1582 thereby eliminating residency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