Miles City Council adopts public records policy, approves union contracts and annexation first reading

The Miles City Council met Oct. 14 in Miles City and, in a series of unanimous votes, adopted a new public records request policy, approved two revised collective bargaining agreements and advanced an annexation ordinance on first reading.

Mayor Dwayne Andrews called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., and roll call showed Councilmember Brant Kassner absent. After routine approvals, the council opened and closed a public hearing on Resolution No. 4644 (Public Records Request Policy) with no public comment and then adopted the resolution on its second reading following a motion by Councilmember Sherwood McKay and a second from Councilmember Don Simpson.

Human Resources Officer Mara Lovett told the council that changing non‑union step increases to employees' anniversary dates would align non‑union employees with union practice. "All of the union employees are already set up to change on their anniversary date so this makes it uniform across the board," Lovett said. The council approved Resolution No. 4647 implementing that change.

The council also approved two revised collective bargaining agreements. Resolution No. 4648 authorizes a revised contract with Local No. 283‑A; Human Resources Officer Lovett identified negotiation participants as union…