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Fergus County approves interlocal agreement to form multi-jurisdictional planning commission
Summary
Fergus County commissioners voted to sign an interlocal agreement creating a multi-jurisdictional planning commission that will advise on growth and land-use across a defined planning area; the county will appoint members once the city finalizes its appointees.
Fergus County commissioners on Dec. 24 approved an interlocal agreement to create a multi-jurisdictional planning commission charged with advising on growth and land use across a shared planning area that includes parts of Lewistown.
The commission will be composed of four city appointees, four county appointees and one representative from the conservation district, county officials said during discussion. Commissioners said the new body is intended to be an advisory, neutral forum to consider subdivision and neighborhood-level planning matters that cross municipal boundaries.
Commissioners discussed that the city and county will each make appointments and that the county expects to convene the new commission in late January or February after signatures are exchanged. A staff member noted one county appointee has already declined and the county will contact three potential appointees to confirm their willingness to serve before finalizing appointments.
The board argued the planning commission will help coordinate questions such as abandonments, growth in areas with access to utilities, and neighborhood planning in older subdivisions. Commissioners suggested forming an ad hoc committee of residents from affected neighborhoods to work alongside the commission on detailed planning and outreach.
The motion to approve the interlocal agreement was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote. The chair said all sides had negotiated membership to keep the commission neutral and advisory in scope. The commission is advisory to city and county officials, who retain ultimate jurisdiction.
The agreement does not, in the transcript, specify an implementation timeline beyond the planned appointments and an expectation to convene meetings in late January or February. The county will circulate the signed agreement and then appoint county members at the next meeting.
Next procedural steps: sign the agreement, receive city appointee confirmations, and hold an initial commission meeting in late January or February.
