By Lynette Helgeland (Presiding Officer), Robert Smaus and Melvin Monson
Hamilton Local Government Review Study Commission
The Montana Constitution provides for local review of municipal forms of government every ten years provided the electorate determines such a review is necessary. In the 2014 election, the City of Hamilton voters elected a study commission to undertake a review of the City’s form of government. The purpose of the study commission is to thoroughly review the form of government and propose any optional or alternative form of government it believes are in the best interests of the citizens of the City of Hamilton and to place any recommended options or alternatives before the voters to determine the question.
The Study Commission has been meeting regularly and working diligently to review the current form of government as well as various optional forms. However, the Commission needs to hear from the
residents of Hamilton regarding the City government provision of services. The Study Commission would also like to ascertain whether or not the City is responsive to the concerns of the residents and if it operates in an efficient manner.
The Study Commission meets the first Wednesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in the City Hall at 223 South Second Street. The public is always welcome to come to any Commission meeting and give us your thoughts. In addition, the Study Commission will conduct a public hearing on June 3, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. to gather citizen input on the form, function, powers, performance or problems of City government and adequacy of City services.
The Study Commission has also developed a brief opinion survey that is posted on the City website and may be completed online. The City web site address is: cityofllamilton.net. Copies of the survey are also available at the office of the City Clerk in the City Hall. The Study Commission has conducted information gathering meetings throughout the City and is planning more meetings in the future although a schedule has not been finalized at this time. If any group or organization wishes to meet with the Study Commission you may e-mail the Commission at studycomm@citvofhamilton.net or you may call Dennis Stranger (Study Commission ex-officio member) at (406) 381-7181.
Although the City allows the Commission to use its facilities and website, the Study Commission is not part of the City government and is conducting an independent review of the form of governmcnt. We
appreciate the opportunity to serve the community as members of the Study Commission and look forward to hearing your thoughts on the City government.