Columbia Falls council approves Eric Hanks as city manager, allows limited remote work

Columbia Falls — The Columbia Falls City Council voted unanimously to approve a contract hiring Eric Hanks as the city’s next city manager and included a provision allowing Hanks five remote-work days per quarter. The council approved the agreement by roll call during the meeting, and Hanks is scheduled to begin work April 1.

The council was told Hanks requested limited flexibility to work remotely when needed for major projects; language reflecting that request was added to the contract that councilors reviewed. The council also discussed transitional staffing: interim manager Mark said he will remain through April 4, and staffer Susan will assist Hanks with the city’s first Montana budget cycle.

Why it matters: The hire fills the city’s top administrative post and places an incoming manager in charge for the upcoming budget year; the limited remote-work allowance and the planned overlap with interim staff are steps intended to ease the transition and maintain continuity.

Council action and vote: A motion to approve the city manager agreement was made and seconded; the council then conducted a roll-call vote in which Councilor Price, Councilor Robinson, Councilor Shepard, Councilor King, Councilor Levery and Mayor Barnhard voted “I” (yes). The motion carried and the agreement was approved. The motion’s mover and seconder were not specified in the meeting record.

Council priorities and outreach: Councilors used the meeting to discuss ways to improve public information about city operations. Councilor Jenny proposed producing plain-language items on the city website — or a social-media presence if the new manager recommends it — explaining how permits work and how public comment functions at meetings. Councilors agreed to raise the idea with the incoming manager.

Study commission follow-up: Councilors reported that a recent study-commission survey drew about 125 responses, roughly 69% of which came from respondents outside the city. To reach city residents directly, the commission plans a mailed survey to utility customers using funds already budgeted for the commission. The commission moved its next meeting to April 16 to continue that work.

Public comment and governance options: In public comment, Roger Hopkins — identifying himself as vice chair of the study commission and giving his Columbia Falls address — praised interim manager Mark’s assistance and urged the commission and council to consider options ranging from modest changes to pursuing a charter or expanded self-governing powers. Hopkins also said the commission will explore interlocal cooperation with the Whitefish study commission.

Council tributes and other items: Councilors and others thanked interim manager Mark for his service; Councilor Shepard called him “the Gerald R. Ford of Columbia Falls.” Meeting business also noted a fire-department fundraising trip in which eight members climbed 69 floors in Seattle to raise money for leukemia.

What’s next: Eric Hanks is set to start April 1; the interim manager will remain through April 4 to help with transition matters. The study commission will pursue the mailed resident survey and meet next on April 16.