County begins ordinance process to standardize community councils; first hearing set for Jan. 8

Missoula County held a first hearing Dec. 4 on a proposed county ordinance that would formally establish community councils, standardize their boundaries and membership, and move appointment processes from spotty local elections to a standardized application and appointment process.

Chief Administrative Officer Chris Lansbury said county review found that Montana Code Annotated for Missoula County’s form of government requires an ordinance establishing community councils rather than only resolutions. Staff worked with existing community councils through October and November feedback sessions and reported generally positive responses to the proposed changes, which are intended to improve consistency in membership counts, appointment procedures and open‑records compliance.

The ordinance would create a legal framework for community council boundaries, a standard appointment process (reducing reliance on elections by acclamation), record-keeping and finance standards, and a process to update boundaries as needed. Staff emphasized this is largely a cleanup to make the county consistent with state code rather than a dramatic operational change.

Commissioner Josh Lautner moved to consider the ordinance read and to move toward adoption subject to a second hearing on Jan. 8, 2026; Commissioner Dave Strohmeyer seconded and the motion passed on the record. The public-comment period will remain open until the next hearing.