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Lewistown commissioners opt not to declare local emergency over Jan. 10 snowstorm
Summary
After discussion of documentation, state eligibility and future preparedness, the commission voted not to declare a local emergency related to the January 10 snowstorm and directed staff to improve documentation and planning.
The City of Lewistown commission voted not to declare a local emergency for the Jan. 10 snowstorm after staff told commissioners state funding would likely be unavailable and that the city lacked the documentation needed to support a reimbursement claim.
City Manager Holly briefed the commission on state guidance and said Governor Gianforte had determined there was "no loss of life and there was no property damage, like infrastructure," a determination that makes state disaster funding unlikely. Holly told the commission the city and county were behind on incident documentation, including itemized records from crews and contractors that would be required for a reimbursement claim under the state process.
Commissioners discussed the value of completing the emergency‑declaration paperwork as a learning exercise versus the practical benefit. Several commissioners and staff said the process would be useful to rehearse, but would not likely result in state funds for the January event. The commission cited a state requirement that declarations be supported by documentation and noted that the city has a dedicated fuel/gas tax fund that is already used for street and related repairs.
After discussion, Commissioner Robertson moved and Commissioner Day seconded a motion to not declare a local emergency related to the January storm. The motion passed on a roll call; Commissioners Mueller (Bueller), Day, Hewitt, Roos, Robertson, Spica and Terry recorded "aye." The commission directed staff to adopt improved documentation practices, to coordinate with county counterparts on forms and to present proposed policy changes addressing snow removal service levels and enforcement at a future meeting.
The commission also noted the snow reaction/response committee has scheduled another working meeting for April 10 to refine options for different service levels and associated costs. Ideas discussed included an option to plow center lanes on all residential streets at the outset of major storms to maintain a single travel lane — a tradeoff that would reduce mobility disruption but leave snow berms at driveways and intersections.
Commissioners emphasized that any future funding request to state emergency programs will require pre‑existing documentation procedures and that the city will pursue internal policy changes and improved recordkeeping to improve preparedness and eligibility going forward.
