Miles City Finance Committee approves $1,500 mayor travel amendment this year, $3,000 next year; health insurance documentation status noted

The Miles City Finance Committee voted unanimously on Jan. 21, 2026, to amend the mayoral budget to add $1,500 for travel in the remainder of the current fiscal year and to increase the travel allocation to $3,000 in the next fiscal year.

Mayor Chris Grenz had told the committee that attending meetings of the South Eastern Montana Development Corp. (SEMDC) and the Montana League of Cities and Towns (MLCT) helps the city learn about upcoming grants and opportunities. Grenz said he plans to travel to Livingston in March and described SEMDC's monthly meeting schedule; he proposed $3,000 annually to cover travel. He also said he wants to add health insurance to the mayoral budget but that the documentation authorizing city-provided health insurance for the mayor is still being located.

Committee Chair Brooke Bartholomew said the request should be prorated because the fiscal year is halfway through, proposing that half the annual amount be budgeted for the remainder of this fiscal year. Councilmember Jeni Losey asked whether there are checks and balances for travel expenses; Clerk/Recorder Mary Rowe replied that city policy includes a travel policy and procedure to ensure accountability and noted that using a city vehicle could reduce travel costs.

Committee Member Ed Pulecio moved to add $1,500 to the mayoral travel budget for this fiscal year and to increase it to $3,000 next fiscal year; Committee Member Cody Steiner seconded. The motion passed with yea votes from Committee Members Rick Huber, Ed Pulecio, Brooke Bartholomew and Cody Steiner.

The committee's recorded action was a recommendation/approval at the committee level during this meeting; the minutes do not record an immediate change in benefits for the mayor and the status of adding health insurance remains pending while documentation is located.