Missoula City Council calls for transparency in U.S. Forest Service reorganization; resolution passes 10-1

Missoula City Council adopted a nonbinding resolution on Sept. 15 calling for public, transparent discussion of a proposed U.S. Forest Service reorganization and urging Montana’s federal and state delegation to consider the economic and community impacts of potential workforce reductions, the council president said.

The resolution, introduced at committee the previous week and placed on the council’s regular business agenda so members could comment before a vote, passed by roll call, 10-1.

The measure asks federal and state elected officials to “recognize the economic and community impact of federal workforce reductions and to actively advocate for local needs throughout the reorganization process,” language read aloud by Council President Sherrill during the meeting. “I’m going to recommend that we adopt a resolution of Missoula City Council calling for transparency in the United States Forest Service reorganization and supporting the continued presence of federal employees in Missoula County,” President Sherrill said during debate.

Councilor Mike Nugent, who had led the item in committee, described the city’s interest as protecting local jobs and services rather than opposing reorganization outright. “We had a great committee meeting. … The conversation acknowledges that there’s always room for efficiencies, and that it’s not opposed to reorganization, but rather wants to express to our federal delegation the importance of having those conversations transparently in the public,” Nugent said.

Not all members supported the final draft. Councilor Vazika said she supported the resolution’s spirit but had objected to specific language and amendments during the committee process. “There are some parts of the … resolution that I disagree with, and I did try to get those changed on Wednesday, through amendments, and those did not pass. So I’m not fully on board with the entirety of … the language and the resolution,” Vazika said, and she recorded the lone “no” vote.

Councilor Campbell spoke in favor of the resolution, saying he saw value in asking the congressional delegation to review proposed federal workforce changes closely. “I don’t see anything wrong with … urging our congressional delegation to take a second look at what it is that, at the federal level, they plan to do with our Forest Service District and Forest Service Personnel Management,” Campbell said.

There was no public testimony on this agenda item at the meeting. The council’s discussion at the prior committee meeting had included community guests who spoke about the potential economic consequences if federal staff or labs relocated, and members said the goal was to ensure that any reorganization discussions remain public so Missoula can weigh impacts.

By the council’s roll-call vote the resolution passed by a 10-1 margin. The resolution is advisory: it expresses the city council’s position and asks federal and state delegates to consider Missoula’s interests during reorganization discussions.

Council members who spoke to the item included Councilor Mike Nugent (lead sponsor in committee), Council President Sherrill (mover), Councilor Vazika (dissenting vote) and Councilor Campbell (support).