Billings council holds orientation with MSU trainer on charter limits, quasi‑judicial duties and public process

Summary

Dan Clark of Montana State University’s Local Government Center briefed Billings council members on the difference between self‑governing and general powers, limits imposed by the city charter and state law, how to manage quasi‑judicial hearings and options for amending the charter, and cautioned members about ex parte contacts and social media statements.

Dan Clark, director with Montana State University’s Local Government Center, led an orientation for the Billings City Council that reviewed municipal powers, charter limits, and best practices for public hearings.

Clark told council members the state distinguishes between general governing powers and self‑governing powers. ‘‘With self‑governing powers,’’ he said, ‘‘you can exercise any power or authority that’s not prohibited by the law or the constitution,’’ then contrasted municipalities that have used self‑governing authority to run utilities or create impact fees. Clark named Saco and Troy as examples of jurisdictions exercising broader local powers and pointed to Bozeman as an example of a city that adopted impact fees to make development pay for associated infrastructure.

Council members asked about the city’s inability to use permissive levies—a question Clark…

Billings council holds orientation with MSU trainer on charter limits, quasi‑judicial duties and public process

Summary

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