by Bob Michalson, Stevensville
My name is Bob Michalson, and I currently have the honor of serving as the Mayor of Stevensville. I am seeking your support to continue serving our wonderful town for another four years. My commitment to Stevensville is rooted in my desire to ensure our community continues to thrive and that the needs of our citizens are always put first.
Since joining the town council in 2016, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside more than 15 council members and 70 board members, gaining valuable insight into our community’s needs. I also serve as a board member for MMIA, where I help oversee our town’s benefits, workers’ compensation, and insurance policies.
Appointed mayor on December 1, 2023, I immediately prioritized improvements to our town’s infrastructure. This included paving projects on Park, Third, Spring, Railroad, and Mission Streets. In addition, I played an integral role in the $1.8 million ARPA project, which began construction in early 2024 and concluded in mid-2025 with a “no error” completion report from DNRC—a testament to our team’s dedication and careful oversight.
Beyond these projects, I contributed to the 2016 Growth Policy and am currently collaborating with the Planning & Zoning Board, staff, and outside experts to update the growth policy for 2025. I am also overseeing the replacement of our aging Water and Wastewater SCADA systems, which are essential for the continued safe operation of our plant and the protection of our environment.
Securing water rights for Stevensville has been another important focus. Working in partnership with former Mayor Gibson, we have ensured that our town can meet the needs of residents and current development projects. These efforts represent an investment in the long-term sustainability of our community.
Stevensville faces challenges common to many small towns: aging infrastructure and limited resources. I am committed to finding solutions that minimize financial burdens on our citizens. Our largest expense is the water and sewer plant. I understand the concerns about rising rates—I pay them myself. The decision to adjust rates was made after careful consultation with auditors, Montana Rural Water, and the USDA, with whom we hold our loans. For example, our past three years audits showed that the previous rates would not cover essential maintenance costs, which is why we made the difficult decision to adjust them. For more details, I encourage you to watch the council meeting from September 25, 2025, where Bobbie Shular from Montana Rural Water explained these factors in depth.
Our recent financial strategies have allowed us to avoid taking on additional debt for urgent repairs, such as the wastewater SCADA system—critical for preventing raw sewage leaks into the Bitterroot River. Thanks to careful planning, we have money in reserve to address these needs.
We were recently awarded $565,300 in grant funding to add a new fuel station at the airport, fully covered by the FAA and Montana Aeronautics. This project will benefit our town without adding cost to our residents.
As mayor, I believe in fostering a respectful and safe work environment for all town employees, and I am committed to upholding these values. Our town staff are devoted to finding best practices, saving money, and providing excellent service. I’ve received positive feedback from vendors about our team’s professionalism and dedication to serving the citizens of Stevensville.
My opponent has indicated an intention to fire all town employees if elected. To clarify, official records show that my opponent was trespassed from town hall due to specific incidents involving town employees, not for political reasons. The harassment continued 9/23/2025, my opponent approached a police officer in the park and made critical remarks about town staff, suggesting they were too lazy to unlock a gate and proposing that the police officer “rip their toe nails off and bring the hammer down on them.” The police officer confirmed that the gate in question was open and found no evidence to support the claims regarding staff conduct.
I am dedicated to maintaining fair employment practices and ensuring our staff feels secure and valued in their workplace. The mayor has a duty to protect town employees and promote a culture of respect and cooperation.
There have been rumors circulating about further water rate increases. I want to be clear: any changes to rates must be approved by the council, and there are currently no plans for further increases. My approach has always been open and transparent, welcoming feedback from residents and taking your concerns to heart.
Our community has faced challenges and divisions, but I believe the strength of Stevensville lies in our ability to work together. My focus is on teamwork, listening, and ensuring our town is well-served.
We have accomplished many great things in Stevensville, and I am excited about the opportunities ahead. I would be honored to serve as your mayor for another four years, continuing our work to improve and strengthen our town.