Billings City Council Discusses Structure Reforms and Public Board Engagement

A push for streamlined governance took center stage at the Billings City Council Work Session on July 21, 2025, as council members and community members debated the potential restructuring of city government. The discussion highlighted concerns over the complexity of current processes and the need for a more efficient approach to urban renewal.

Council member Patrick Gulp raised alarms about the implications of legislative changes, warning that without a structured approach, the city could face stricter regulations in the future. He emphasized the importance of creating a unified urban renewal agency to simplify processes and reduce costs, stating, “They’ll just come back and say, okay, fine. We can fix this,” if the council does not take proactive steps.

Conversely, some residents expressed skepticism about the proposed changes. Gulp noted that many community members believe that if the current system isn’t broken, it shouldn’t be fixed. He argued that consolidating the governance structure could erase valuable institutional memory and fail to serve the diverse interests of the community.

The council also discussed the qualifications for appointees to various boards, emphasizing the need for representatives from the county and school district to be approved by their respective entities. The timeline for these appointments was set to align with state requirements, with a status report expected in the coming weeks.

As the meeting concluded, council members acknowledged the importance of community input and the need for clarity in governance. The discussions reflect a critical moment for Billings as it navigates potential changes that could reshape its urban landscape and governance structure.