Lolo residents express concern after county ordinance shifts community-council seats to appointments

Several Lolo residents and council members told the council they were troubled by a recent Missoula County ordinance that changes how community-council positions are filled. Pat Ward said the county lawyer advised the commissioners that, under the way state law is implemented, community-council membership must follow the option the lawyer described (option 2), which limits elected seating and leads to appointments by the commissioners.

Marilyn Hatch, who joined the meeting by phone and later gave the treasury report, said the change felt like a loss of the community—reedom to vote. "I think this is very disconcerting that they're taking our freedom of election right to vote away from us," Hatch said. Other members noted they had spoken at the commissioners meeting in opposition.

State Representative Mark Payne, who was present, cited Montana Code (Title 7, Chapter 3) and said that statute governs the size and composition of community councils; he offered to help review the law and urged members to watch the commissioners' Jan. 8 meeting recording for the county lawyer's explanation.

Council chair clarified that community councils are advisory liaisons to the Board of County Commissioners, not formal elected representatives of local government, and said bylaws will remain in effect unless modified. Members urged residents to read the ordinance on Missoula County Voice and to raise questions at public hearings and with commissioners.

Why it matters: The procedural change affects how council members will be selected and could alter how local concerns are represented to county government. The council encouraged civic review and engagement before implementation or further amendments.

What happens next: Council members planned follow-up research and outreach; Mark Payne offered to work with the council to interpret the statute and explore options if members seek changes.