Helena City Commission approves slate of confirmations, contracts and plans in 5-0 votes

The City of Helena City Commission on March 24, 2025 voted unanimously on a package of appointments, contract awards and planning actions, including the confirmation of two Helena Police Department officers, confirmation of an assistant fire chief, award of a water-main replacement contract, acceptance of the city's fiscal year 2024 financial and federal single audit, and adoption or initiation of several planning items.

Why it matters: The actions finalize personnel additions for public safety, commit $312,000 in enterprise funds to a water-main replacement project, complete required financial reporting and audits for the previous fiscal year, and move several land-use and civic-facility items forward for implementation. Together they reflect routine governance business and near-term capital and planning work that affects city operations and service delivery.

What the commission approved (motions, outcomes and key details):

- Confirmations: The commission confirmed two Helena Police Department officers, Toby Erickson and Brendan Colburn, following introductions and brief remarks from Police Chief Petty and the officers. The motion to approve the confirmations carried 5–0 (Commissioners Shurtleff, Dean, Reid, Logan and Mayor Wilmot Collins voting Aye). Evidence: presentation/introduction (approx. tc_start 00:10:09–00:10:50) and vote (approx. tc_start 00:17:06–00:17:27).

- Fire department appointment: The commission confirmed Jason Wenzel as assistant fire chief and…