Stevensville council tables vote on new Friday hours after public opposition

The Stevensville Town Council on Thursday opened a public hearing on Resolution 5-68, a proposal to adopt town hall business hours of 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Fridays, and then voted to table the matter until the full council can consider it.

At the start of the item, Council member Carter moved to approve Resolution 5-68; Council member Barker seconded. After public comment and council discussion, Council member Desmond moved to table the resolution “until the entire council is present.” That motion was seconded, and the council voted 3-0 to table the proposal.

Residents raised multiple concerns at the public hearing about the impact of closing town hall on Fridays. Jean Kingman, a resident who identified herself as living on Town Street, said she opposed changing hours and asked the council not to act without all members present. Other residents questioned how the change would affect people who need to pay fines, arrange water or sewer service, or who are paid on schedules that require Friday access. Several commenters asked whether staff would receive comp time or pay adjustments if hours were shortened.

Council and staff addressed operational questions: officials said public works has an on-call phone and the utility billing and public-works functions can be handled off-site in emergencies. Council members and staff also discussed how employees currently make up 40-hour workweeks — including meeting time and overtime — and whether closing Friday afternoons would create overtime or comp-time obligations.

Council member Smith and others said some staff routinely work many meetings and that Fridays are often quiet, but several residents said the change would set a precedent and could complicate access for people who use town services infrequently but must meet deadlines.

Legal guidance was cited during the hearing. A speaker referenced Montana law governing municipal office hours (MCA titles discussed during the meeting) and a suggestion from local government staff that the council establish hours by resolution and notify county offices of any change.

By tabling the resolution, the council left the item open for a future meeting. Town staff said the item will need to be republished for another public hearing if the council elects to reschedule the vote.

Ending

Because the council voted to table Resolution 5-68 until a full council is present, no change to Friday hours took effect. The council will decide whether to relist the resolution at a later meeting after additional discussion and public notice.