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Council adopts resolution to cancel study commission election and appoint electors if filings are few
Summary
Citing state law and a county notification that too few candidates filed, the council adopted Resolution 2035 to cancel the local government study commission election if three or fewer candidates file and to appoint electors; councilors debated timing and statutory deadlines before passing the resolution.
The City Council of Libby adopted a resolution to cancel the upcoming local government study commission election if three or fewer candidates file and to appoint electors by acclamation, citing a notification from the Lincoln County election administrator and state law.
The resolution, read into the record as Resolution 2035, cites HB 447 (2017, chapter 174) and language in state statute that allows a municipality to cancel an election when the number of filers is equal to or less than the number of positions to be filled, and then fill those positions by appointment. The city received an email saying only one filing had been received for three positions; the resolution calls for canceling the election in that circumstance and appointing electors from city applicants.
Councilors discussed competing deadlines: the county’s ballot-order deadline (Aug. 21, cited by staff) and the statutory filing deadline (Sept. 3). Some councilors said they were uneasy about “shortcutting” statutory timelines and noted that appointees may need training through the Local Government Center. Despite those concerns, a councilor moved to adopt Resolution 2035; the motion was seconded and the resolution carried, with at least one recorded opposition voiced during the roll call.
The council indicated it would notify the election administrator of the action and proceed with the appointment process if filings remain three or fewer. Council members and members of the public urged that solicitations for applicants continue and that the council ensure appointees receive required training before they assume duties.
Next steps: staff will notify the election administrator and the council will accept applications or make appointments consistent with the resolution and the filing timeline from the election office.
