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Commission affirms Carl Donovan to Great Falls Transit Board over process objections
Summary
The City Commission confirmed Carl Donovan to the Great Falls Transit District Board for a four-year term despite one commissioner’s objection that the appointment circumvents an elected process; the vote was 4-1.
The City Commission voted 4-1 on June 2 to confirm Carl Donovan to a four-year term on the Great Falls Transit District Board, filling the seat from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2030.
Commissioner Rick Tryon opposed the confirmation, saying he was "uncomfortable with the Commission effectively filling an elected position without voter participation." Tryon urged the city to follow the Transit District Bylaws by convening a special committee to make the appointment when an election cannot be held.
Commissioner Shannon Wilson and Mayor Cory Reeves supported confirming Donovan, noting that no candidates filed by the February deadline and that the applicant had been hospitalized and therefore unable to file. Wilson said the County Commission had advertised and ultimately affirmed Donovan’s appointment. Mayor Reeves said his interpretation of the bylaws was that a special committee would be necessary only if the Commission did not approve the candidate.
The County Commission had already appointed Donovan to the full term; the City Commission was being asked to confirm that appointment. With one seat on the transit board still vacant, commissioners did not adopt an alternative appointment process following the vote.
The confirmation was moved by Commissioner Shannon Wilson and seconded by Commissioner Casey Schreiner and passed 4-1, with Commissioners Cory Reeves, Joe McKenney, Casey Schreiner and Shannon Wilson voting yes and Commissioner Rick Tryon voting no. The Commission did not take further action on creating a special committee.
