Final report : Miles City Local Government Study Commission : November 2014-November 2016

2016·1.2 MB·English

by  Miles City Local Government Study Commission, author

FINAL REPORT

MILES CITY LOCAL GOVERNMENT STUDY
COMMISSION

NOVEMBER 2014 — NOVEMBER 2016
FINAL. REPORT
PAPLT-OF CONTENTS

Lor

18 OF MILES

TER TO THE CITE

CELY, MONTANA

TT, SEMMARY Of RECOMMENDATION
A. Findings of the Miles City Luca Goverment Revisw Study Coesmission

R. Key Provisions af Ihe Propo
3. ClheiGeutioa of tke rol ues ad res
2 ie Limits on tn lnving powers af Cig! poveraimcer
3. Requies pblie heacinus before any incre it C

Sif gowereumesis powers for Dre City al Miles City

ibiltics ofthe swyor wed coupe

[LCOMPARISON OF EXISTING FORM OF GOVERNMENT AND PROPOSED
FORM G¥ GOVERNMENT.
A. Existing Porn: ~ Beseriptine of G
1B, Propowsl Form — Deseripion at Ge
C. Comparison of Spovitfe Chasucteristien

rerel Characteristics
rel Charaesiaties

TY. APPENDIX
Syhibit A: CosiFente of ler ol
Bhibit G: Certicats of plan ol praposed fori of gnveanment
Redihil Ci CerliGente of eslaaishirg elect date

shibii D: Comttizate esting Zarrn othe kathon
Tahiti F:

lire ot gewcenmsne

nds establishing dale of nex aoveunurem fn iC ropasal is

alee el etal shing tie etleetive dave of Me proposal if
apyproved
<A MESSAGE FROM THE MILES CITY STTIOV COMMISSION

Baur Ease,

‘The Hes Ciey Local Gaverement Reve Suny Comission that you
November of 2024 hes stucted our Ly governnoe! terafaly al is Hos wmaenimeus I
rapesing the attached City Gharcer to the Voters af Miles ‘ity for your eensideration

We unaninswusty ugeeu thai. the advantages of adopting a selfguvermmnent

fe

charver

Clarification of the roles, ducies and responsibilities nf the nigyor one counct.

Specific thnuts on ite taxing powers of ity government

© Required public hearings befare an increase in City fees

Shitgorsrnment powers far the City af Miles Cie

Alter careful constdevation we have sles concluded sot ghe edcption of eCity
charcer by the Voters pases no Known disadvantages far the citirens, taxpayers andl
residents nf Miles Cy

A comparison of xs haportone chavacterictes af the existing tte arcypased plans of

_goveranient ts levteded oo Cie last age for your conshderatio

A cons ofour complete final report is evattahie at City Hall
We urgs atl of Miles City Voters te stay the proposed cbse inched on pages 2
nsy ds pruvisios with your Council Members and with ie Mayor. Ifyoe
lease dant be reluriaat sn anntost onp member of the Bes Cy
fan or any of your City effi

BF wnal io
ase wip guest
Sturdy Com

58, 6:0UE ot Pay Holt ta udlaress
ty Chanter

A Pubic Fiesring wil! be Aste on futy 2
Aarestinnsycea muy heron egarting the propose.

Sinesre!
Miles City Local Government Review Suudy Cummissiun,

Ulan. Babe

Thon tetaanshn
bbe ae Cok

Tiana
HL REPORT SUMMARY

files City loeal Goverment Resiens Shele Civ snission havang thoccugkly sledge
pecceort form of City gevemmont sor the ulieruatfve farins ef governor available to the city
under state law, and baving stadice he futare moods oY she Gy af Biles City vezenupends the

A. Findings of the Miles City Loral Government Review Study Commission
Ale ulnnst bv years of study i istae decision of sho study eanirnisson lo sesvinmietd changes
‘hes power of she city goverrient that will provide governmental Frarsenark I meet the chang
'soF the Gi y al Miles C3

volury of Miles Ciy uppraved by xote co have & lon slisly ef the current Zo:an of city
goverumens. The Flas Cily [acal Cevezamere Koview Siu Chrmnission researched, hie
ss wilhin the commissinn, eld publt heariags, and Ustened ks wo'er concer for acheage of

nent. BF Ble City af Miles City is to play 9 oder vole it must ave adeguats lege!

o have miove egeico] over He orgerfvatinnal viructure so chat it can act

sacwrigy Me ety isms a
ively aux pverse The sertbrrnanice of te City of Miles Cys Funetions.
the Miles City Lacal Government
‘sue reviewed wih Kee Weaver anc Jueith, Mathre ormer atzployees oF
the MSLI Local Geversnen! Center st Bellur unwlerstand s Chacioe For ina svriting: ky belle
YWoaver unit Matbre give ois Fanctignel dlinitin ola locel gowerninené Charter us “There are fo
insportart elements ie luce! government shorisr, the structure or form of gaverament and the
ly, a chee +s the local government eqnivatent af a
mnbardinate to hock. Cdeally, fowl

powers of load} govaens * More &
2 er aavonl constitution, Cough it Bs ak” coats

sk
govarnnel uhurlar ie a wrilen decurnent approved by che vorors within ils jurstietion, sel
Alefires the pervers, srsinnss, privileges. aa ex durdos of its Ipeal gevesrtmecit and sete let

ent that

any Hnmitations Merson, Th Montana a chatter ig vocer-approwes, verien plan of gove
russ nent
Ite ceommigsiom vr comuneit) oe shall picid

for a iegicltive ody comprised of 2ll qua‘ ifedl electors &

fslarive body (which may bo

© Analects
sn reeling Fossa tr
se sme aoe spel

fies, whet a

2ov and the legialetive
the nomber of menbers of the cl
are fo be pautsac 0
office anc che met
© An eleetd ar sapoint
office st an elected chief cxceicive Gruyer) or at tbe pleasure af she goversiny ody iam
Foxcorsive (maragers Ihe porwers and dutics of the ekiet exsculive seed the

ive (raya, macuper O° plutal excentive
by. Ge shure may provide tee plums

exeuilise drawn livin the huilative dy, a5 in the ema a the cruditicnal Sezted

cerissiou Taine oF comnty gevecerent

share sal
cee Cae}

+ Thedateon whieh
aeetee Weaver Lecal Go

Phe Cunent Kins of guwermnses Ror Mikcs Clty iss Commmisdonixecutive Covemnmen che
pros ive (Magor-Comnell} in a wets” Cure, You the voter wall
ae] Cal shove ds Fikbe dr ge i comper"spn hr Thy eure, Eom ef government

I Ts is: Conisiooe Fi

B, Key Provisions of thy Proposed Fora,

1. Clarification of cates, duties and cesponsthilites af the mayor and council,

‘Tae Cy of Miles City shouid auiopt effeouve Jammy 1, 2217 the Camnissing
Exornlive (Magur-Cour cil) Phan af Cawwormancet Chater of ne City of Miles Cty
Form af Government: Flected couccil potforns poliey-<naking, Funetions. !ecreit
mayor admmislers government ssl: ule adviee and eomsen! of the conic

Powers: Self-governtent powers

Governing Tdy: Council and mayo rospacsible fr a" Yeyislaive, exeoutive ane
rudusinisoative Fanelians. § council eacmacrs eleciedl 4a whoin stall be #vcteT
lected in 4 ety wards, otea shall be cver'epging wenn, presiding

officer vy.
Chit Execntive and Administrative olfice: The clectod) wuyer ad-inisters the
yoverorent on x jarl time Rasis, Powers and dovies; tre -uayar cares ou he
policies of the coervif,ulvises the enuneil, exsemtes the budge! une vfs bas,
fovdinaress and reswlulons. Appwinionect Powers: the wayor apgoirts deperimens
Ions and memiers ” hours and eoramissions with the opnsen ¢F Ge council
Thullgel Preparations Mayer preyares the beeget in seoperstioe with the deyeriuent
heads, Phuc is them neixified and ciwroced by the city council.

2. Specific mits on the taxing posvers of City government
There is wo change in te taxicg owers af Cily sereensnent

Requires public hearings before any inerease in Clty foes.
The current tamu aid the proposce form cequice public earings before an increase
in Caly

4. Sull-yoverning powers for Uhe City of Mites City
“The proposed Hana woul alow sel? govenning gasers by the City
CURRENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT

{CTLE7. LOCAL GOVERNWENT
CHAPTER 3, ALTERNATIVE. FORMS OF LOCAL GOVERNVIENT.
PART 2, COMMISS(ON-EXECUTIVE GOVERYMENT

73-113. Statutory basts for ma
(2) For tae perpose of determining he stansary hasis of exisiing wuts of local geveanment.
cae: unit of local goverament ongevived under the penesal shuutes authorizing, the nexicipal
couneil-nayar foun: of goverment, which doce nat adopl a nes Sa, ssail bs gevemed
aot May 2, 1977, by the foskowing sete
@

r)
(cl
i

ipnl council-mayar government,

onto offiviats. ‘he size of ts commision shal

oh Vis Fone hes teers el 4 years Foe 2
The established ly aediinance, bar it may rest exeved 20 mera

7-3.201, Comaission-execnsive form. ioe for Coie: may be
called the enunei'-ececauve, the comell-mayer, ur Le comumizsicn-mayue form) coasises of
‘un efeoteu eommissioa {Which may Fe referred La as the eoune} and ce elected executive
sed 10 a8 the mye) who % elected ot large.

Loelin aay be ra

73-102. Naiure of goverment. The pista ypvemnment subenitted to We wsalified
nectors shell eetermtine the ponsers nFthe lea! goveramcal un'l by autbuiizing: (L) gencrat
powers,

2003. Duties wf eseuntive, ‘Ths eyenrive shall:
11) eniores lava, ordinances, aml resp. atone:

2) serforn duties requized by lus, vediasce. of resolu:

3} asiciniseer ffi oF the ical geecrament

carry oat polivies estabtithed by dhe coron'sse:

(5) record niezsures % tne commission
on 6.03. Vacancy in Offi
An elvted cx uitder wis Charter becorres wacans as escr ibe Uy Law.
ria eal be considered casn and cahjer=“e

er aay

vavaney oeetrs nny elective office, tH
etme nal yosoral moricingl ele
sept the ist uf wie sll Be

in the sure avn asthe

norsatin and slectia
stoeginn at soyrotnar ness leaing the same etic,
freed to the unexpired tears a he verse whi oniginallycrostea the vacancy. Pera
aad quificaton the council shall by miorLy vole o! 142 mea hers, ai
facency tonal he office until the succosser Is elected anc

auch ecu

eon wishin 30 ays of Ue
a fed

Section 6.08 Severabitty
Fry provisin af this Carter is held vals, the ovher pravsivns of this Chertosehall aot

ser thereby. Ifthe application af the Charter, 0: amy pari ls provisions, t0 ay
510

be al
perser ar circumstance 's held inveld, the application of tee Charler and ils prous
ed thereay.

loser persaas or circumstances shal not be al

ARTICLE VA
TRANSITION PROVISIONS

Section 7.01 General Transition
‘rar sition to this chaeLu Sur of garvernment shone as preseribed by state low. The
counci' ray provide fer sich ranstion by cruimance, rule or resok.sinn ask inconseLent
ita stase ave, The provisions of 17s wansilcn article shal nor he puisshed as parl of the
Cchevter atte sanuery 2, 2017

Section 7.02 city Employces
Fa chy ampioyac or wleeed uff alcurrertly halding a city efTixe wl lose enn mymans or
locos position selayy Dacause af acloption of tis Charter. Enising vlected officials shall
inue i office until the and of the Leen for which they ware elec

Sction £02. Keview af Existing Ordinances
Bilt city erdinances, resalatinna and rules ose city af Miles Cry shall ennai reflec: at
‘oli by the chy eauneil. The eity councl shall reviaws aad, whore

12 ane enmssten.y ith

rovivveud, eepeied ut 129
rneoessiny, rouse oF repeal rity aedinansas to provide compl
this Charscr aad ssabe law 9 ale” than Jamiaey 2, 2029,
und Finzi eoadiion ofa

3} eetat co ths comuniasices an she al
government,

69) exrore boris, notes, eomraels, a

‘abject the apprise ul the cemeaisaion;

£8) rage che seems asthe cocnandat an ME FCQU EC
(9) cts! ccmaniesian meet ngs and may take pe ake

(10) exwente the auege:adeysted iy the eousaissions and

(11) appoint, wie te conaent ef ths commission, vl? members oF based. excel “he

‘executive may sppoint svichont consent el the cpnumssiun lecnpo-ary advisury

comsmirtees established by the swceutive

vwtten aligations of tks eoemaission,

73-204 through 723-210 recervod

33-211, Strucearal subptions, Ths plos of guve:nuient sabaitted io the cawtited
Sceetocs shall facthor define the steactnal ebyracteisies oF the foam by including one item
Sroro cach of he choiees liste in ¥-3-219 Orrough 73-228,

73212. Administrative assistants. Thessecutive my

(City has chosen #23

G}-mey appotnl one or more administeatve assistants te assis Tn Ake supervigon
el operation of ‘oua2 guversnect and une adn‘aistrasive assislats ace
answerable solely 1 the executive

73-213, Supervision of personel. ‘The cxceutive ray:
(City bas ebosen #3)
(3) appoits, wit conson! ofa majority of che conseission, all departnen: had and
remove depertinent bees and may appoint aad remove all ther department
conplnyors

TA2I4, Vetw power. Ths excouléve my
(City has chnsen 23)

vets dinan le qwerty Ty a evo-thils vote of exe

oes ane resolutions, sub!

TROIS, Preparation of budget, the oxcestive way

c

chosen #2)

iy ha

(3) prepare the budget iv ovenudlasion mutk he cansmiseien mel depurlereot heals

16, Administrative supervision und control, The executive may:

(City tus ehsen #2)

(2h enereise cootiol aod supe
autor 20d by ordinance of the sommissi

af nll depuriterts aad boads 16 the degsee
8-217. Finuneial officer. & linccal alficor (uo may bu elle the te
(Gigs hos hse 3}
(1) shall he siested

TADS. Scleetion uf commission members. The carsatissitan shall be,
{City has chosen 42)
(2) elected ly dierors in

apportionst by papuletien,

Jonpicks rh reside ane whieh ars

73.219. Type of election, [-oeal grvererment stall be eonaveted on
(City has chosen 32)
(C3) non-partgin buss

73-220, Presiding officer of commision, “he commizsion nous" have a presiding officer
win mest be,
{City has chosen #1)

(1) elected by the merabers ofthe cormmsioe Ruan their evn rerher
yor a tot established hy adnan.

1 Presiding affieer of commission, “she presidisy officer of the eorainission:
(City has eboseu #3)

(3) is the oxocutive, who sh
have ere ter vote (ihe presiding officer of he exautassion she. preside
executive is abeen0,

PRID, Teems uf coruission members, Commision aneeabere sal bo
(City has chosen 42)
2} overlapping rorgs af weTiee

scide all tie vores oF (he enmanission bor ey cot

Seca Fe

7-3:223, Size of conmissiun aud cummmunity couucits The sive of the eoune:ssion,
svich shall bisa numer nl Tess an tLeee, shell beestublfsbed sien the Zorn Is adcpiod
by the ovens, ek
(City has ehusen #27

(O) eonmicedy scans to advise commissions nvr may be authorized by

sina

FRDDA. ‘Corms of eleted officials. Th
4 yo un shal! he evabiished wact the Zou fs sdogind 2y t
CCIMIMISSION-EXECUTIVE {MAYOR-COUNCIL) FORIA
CHARTER OF THE CITY OF MILES CITY

PREAMBLE

(WE, THE PEOPLE OF MILES CITY. COUNTY OF CUSIFG, STATE OF MONTANA, in zccorda
with Arce Xl, Sertion 5 the Constitution af Monlang, de Aereby adapt this Coeriar

ARTICLE
POWERS OF THE CITY

Section 101 Powers afthe City of Miles Cy
The City of Mies City shall ave ell powers rol prohibited by the CanstiLulion of Montana

the laws ot Montara, octhis Cart

Section 1.02 Interpretation of powers
The poiers aud auliily of Lis sel*-government ant suall be Surat construe’. Every
reaxanable @oubt as 2 the existance of city power or gutho ‘ty shal be rasolved in evo
of the existance of that power oF author.

Section 1.03. Restrictions

Any changes lo Le adopted charter would ge tothe valers ta be approved ar eanproved,

Section £04 Charter Supremacy
2s provide by article X Sectian 5 ct rhe Conszlalion of Moston, provisions erin
ue, leglative and zeny ristrativesleukluve aad organization are sepericr

establishing exec

19 statutory provisios,

Section 1.95 Oath of Office
Befurw cluring upto the duces of offce, a lected sity 0
the oath cfaffics as preserined 'nAetiele I, Secon 3 oF

iis skal Leb ee subserige to
1 Consriutioa Bf Mosikzna,

ARTICLE tL
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Section 2.01 Council
The legis ative hreach ancl governing body shal exsist

1 sty cose

Section 2.02. Composition
The City of Miles City S931 awe & ctyen sys of eighL 18h meenbers, aur A} of whom shad

be clected eve

0 yea