In June 2024, we will get to choose whether or not to study whether or not the form of local municipal and county government should be changed. By the Montana Constitution, this is to be offered every 10 years. By Montana state law (7-3-173), local governments are required to put it on the ballot if it has been 10 years since the last vote. In 2014, the Missoula voters chose NOT to reconsider their form of government.
So:
- Step 1 – vote to have a study done in June 2024.
- Step 2 – vote for who is on the committee to conduct the study (one committee each for the city and the county) in November 2024.
- Conduct the study.
- Vote on a change to the form of government in November 2026.
More information on this process, including deadlines can be found on the Secretary of State’s website here.
For Missoula, how about electing the county commissioners by the voters in the district instead of county-wide? For the city, how about reducing the number of city council, but increasing the number of wards, with one council member per ward (like 9 or 10 wards)? Or how about a city manager form for the city?
Any other ideas?