Libby council approves two-year study commission budget after debate over office rental and transparency

The Libby City Council voted to approve a two-year $30,000 budget for the Local Government Study Commission after a discussion focused on whether the commission should rent a small office and how transparent any budget adjustments would be to the public.

Council member moved the approval and the chair seconded; council then took public comment and voted to carry the motion. Commission representatives said they expect to use only a small portion of the appropriation and want flexibility to shift line items, for example to pay roughly $200 per month to rent space at the old high school during active sessions.

A commission representative told the council, "We anticipate that we're in no way gonna use that money, all that money. Our anticipation is to use very little of it," and said the commission would fine-tune line items at an upcoming meeting.

Several council members pressed the commission on transparency and public notice if the budget were altered. One council member said the public had not seen proposed modifications and suggested delaying changes until the commission published them; the commission replied it would hold a follow-up meeting to discuss any adjustments and that the total two‑year appropriation would remain $30,000.

Members of the public who addressed the council backed the commission's outreach plans. Karen Dinkins, a former commission member, said meeting minutes and an engagement timeline would be made available and confirmed commission meetings are scheduled for the second and fourth Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. John Bibi, vice chair of the commission, highlighted planned public-engagement events and a timeline to educate residents about possible charter options.

The council approved the budget by voice vote. The commission said it will publish its timeline and bylaws and proceed with a public-engagement campaign leading up to the commission’s preliminary report.

Votes at a glance All tallies reported in the transcript were voice votes with aye/oppose calls; detailed roll-call tallies were not recorded in the transcript. - Approval of two-year Local Government Study Commission budget ($30,000): motion made by a council member, seconded; outcome: approved. - Approval of prior meeting minutes (minutes #1670): tentatively approved noting abstentions; outcome: approved. - Approval of letter of support (listed in transcript as "Montanorth"/"Montego"): motion made and carried. - Reappointments to planning and zoning board (Roberta McCants and Mark Andreessen): motions made and carried. - Approval of claims and business licenses (Elite Fire Protection; Wyatt Delta Solar Incorporated): motions made and carried.

Next steps: Commissioners said they will fine-tune the budget line items in a scheduled follow-up meeting and publish materials for public review.